Systems and Methods for Improving Fire Safety in Agricultural Machinery

ABSTRACT

Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/736,503 filed Sep. 26, 2018, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to detection and/or suppressionof sparks, embers, and/or flames, and more particularly to suchdetection and/or suppression in agricultural machinery.

BACKGROUND

Modern farms typically use agricultural machinery in order to increaseefficiency. An uncontrolled fire in some types of agricultural machinerymay result in a “total loss” of the machinery, loss of crops, andpersonal injury or death. Often after such a fire, there may not be areadily available standby or spare agricultural machine that isconveniently available to be used as a backup.

As an example, vehicles configured for harvesting cotton (e.g., “cottonharvesters”) can be relatively susceptible to fires because raw cotton(e.g., harvested cotton that has not yet been ginned) typically exhibitsextreme flammability and is naturally very hydrophobic (e.g. activelyrepels water).

Therefore, a need exists for systems and methods for improving firesafety in agricultural machinery such as, but not limited to, cottonharvesters.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, an aspect of this disclosure is the provision of systemsand methods for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery. As amore specific example, an aspect of this disclosure is the provision ofsystems and methods for detecting, at least partially controlling,and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions (e.g., sparks,embers, and/or flames) in agricultural harvesters such as, but notlimited to, cotton harvesters.

In another aspect, a vehicle configured to at least partially processharvested plant material and at least partially control any sparks,embers, and/or flames associated with the plant material can include achassis, a material processing unit supported by the chassis andconfigured to at least partially define a flow path for transporting theharvested plant material, a pump supported by the chassis and configuredto supply liquid fire suppressant under pressure when the pump isoperated, and first and second nozzles configured to discharge the firesuppressant. The first and second nozzles can each be mounted to thematerial processing unit and connected to the pump for receiving theliquid fire suppressant under pressure from the pump and discharging theliquid fire suppressant into the flow path. The first nozzle can beconfigured to discharge the fire suppressant in a spray pattern having acentral axis extending outwardly from the first nozzle in a firstdirection. The second nozzle can be configured to discharge the firesuppressant in a spray pattern having a central axis extending outwardlyfrom the second nozzle in a second direction. The first and seconddirections can be different from one another. A controller can beconfigured to initiate operation of the pump.

The material processing unit can be an accumulator configured torepeatedly accumulate the harvested plant material and repeatedlydischarge the harvested plant material. As another example, the materialprocessing unit can be a module builder. The first and second nozzlescan be configured to discharge into the accumulator and/or modulebuilder.

A detector can be configured to detect at least one predeterminedfire-related condition in the flow path. Optionally, the controller canbe configured to initiate operation of the pump in response to a signalfrom the detector.

Machinery can be positioned in the flow path and configured to rotateand potentially generate sparks when engaged by any rock and/or metallicdebris in the flow path. The machinery is typically positioned upstreamfrom the first and second nozzles in the flow path. The machinery can bepart of a cleaner configured to at least partially clean the plantmaterial. As another example, the machinery can be part of a harvestingapparatus configured to harvest the plant material and provide the plantmaterial to the flow path.

In another aspect, a vehicle configured to at least partially processharvested plant material and at least partially control any sparks,embers, and/or flames associated with the plant material can include achassis; a module builder supported by the chassis, and configured toreceive the harvested plant material and form the harvested plantmaterial into a module within a first portion of an interior of themodule builder; and a nozzle mounted to the module builder, andconfigured to receive fire suppressant under pressure and discharge thefire suppressant into a second portion of the interior of the modulebuilder. The first and second portions of the interior can be adjacentto one another. The nozzle can be configured to discharge the firesuppressant in a pattern consisting essentially of fog and/or mist.

The module builder can include a plurality of belts configured to extendat least partially around the module. At least a portion of a belt ofthe plurality of belts can be positioned between the first and secondportions of the interior.

In another aspect, a vehicle configured to at least partially processharvested plant material and at least partially control any sparks,embers, and/or flames associated with the plant material can include achassis; an accumulator supported by the chassis, and configured torepeatedly accumulate the harvested plant material and repeatedlydischarge the harvested plant material; a first nozzle mounted to a sidewall of the accumulator, and configured to receive fire suppressantunder pressure and discharge the fire suppressant into an interior ofthe accumulator; and a second nozzle mounted to a top wall of theaccumulator, and configured to receive fire suppressant under pressureand discharge the fire suppressant into the interior of the accumulator.

The second nozzle can be configured to discharge the fire suppressant ina hollow spray pattern. The first nozzle can be configured to dischargethe fire suppressant in a hollow area of the hollow spray pattern.

In another aspect, a vehicle configured to at least partially processharvested plant material and at least partially control any sparks,embers, and/or flames associated with the plant material can include achassis; an accumulator supported by the chassis, and configured torepeatedly accumulate the harvested plant material and repeatedlydischarge the harvested plant material; and a nozzle assembly comprisinga body mounted to an outer surface of a sidewall of the accumulator, andfurther comprising a nozzle mounted in a recess of the body andconfigured to receive fire suppressant under pressure through the body.The recess of the body can be open to a hole in the side wall for atleast partially facilitating the nozzle being configured to dischargethe fire suppressant into an interior of the accumulator.

In another aspect, a vehicle configured to at least partially processharvested plant material and at least partially control any sparks,embers, and/or flames associated with the plant material can include achassis; an accumulator supported by the chassis, and configured torepeatedly accumulate the harvested plant material and repeatedlydischarge the harvested plant material; and a nozzle assembly comprisinga body mounted to an inner surface of a sidewall of the accumulator, andfurther comprising a nozzle mounted to the body and configured toreceive fire suppressant under pressure through the body. The nozzle canbe configured to discharge the fire suppressant, in a spray pattern,into an interior of the accumulator. The nozzle can be mounted to aninclined portion of the body so that the spray pattern has an inclinedcentral axis.

The nozzle and body can be cooperatively configured so that the inclinedcentral axis of the spray pattern extends toward an upright corner inthe interior of the accumulator. As another example, the nozzle and bodycan be cooperatively configured so that the inclined central axis of thespray pattern extends toward a hollow area of a hollow spray pattern ofanother nozzle of the vehicle.

In another aspect, a vehicle configured to at least partially processharvested plant material can include a chassis; a plurality of materialprocessing units supported by the chassis, configured to cooperativelymove the harvested plant material along the flow path, and configured tobe in series along the flow path, wherein the plurality of materialprocessing units comprises a first material processing unit comprisingmachinery positioned in the flow path and configured to rotate andpotentially generate sparks when engaged by any rock and/or metallicdebris in the flow path, and a downstream material processing unitcomprising a conduit positioned downstream from the first materialprocessing unit; a fan supported by the chassis, wherein the fan is influid communication with the conduit and configured to at leastpartially cause the harvested plant material to be transported along atleast the portion of the flow path within the conduit; and a detectorconfigured to detect at least one predetermined fire-related conditionwithin the conduit, and provide a signal comprising data indicative ofany detection of the at least one predetermined fire-related conditionwithin the conduit.

In another aspect, a vehicle configured to at least partially processharvested plant material can include a chassis; a plurality of materialprocessing units supported by the chassis, configured to cooperativelymove the harvested plant material along the flow path, and configured tobe in series along the flow path, wherein the plurality of materialprocessing units comprises an accumulator configured to repeatedlyaccumulate the harvested plant material and repeatedly discharge theharvested plant material; a detector configured to detect at least onepredetermined fire-related condition within the accumulator, and providea signal comprising data indicative of any detection of the at least onepredetermined fire-related condition within the accumulator.

Another aspect of this disclosure is the provision of a method for atleast partially controlling any fire-related condition in a vehicleconfigured to at least partially process harvested plant material. Themethod can include operating a plurality of material processing unitssupported by a chassis of the vehicle, so that the plurality of materialprocessing units cooperatively move the harvested plant material alongthe flow path, wherein the plurality of material processing units areconfigured to be in series along the flow path, the plurality ofmaterial processing units includes upstream and downstream materialprocessing units each including a respective chamber through which theflow path extends, and the upstream material processing unit ispositioned upstream from the downstream material processing unit alongthe flow path; discharging fire suppressant into the chamber of theupstream material processing unit; discharging fire suppressant into thechamber of the downstream material processing unit; transportingharvested plant material from the upstream material processing unit tothe downstream material processing unit along a portion of the flowpath; ceasing the discharging of the fire suppressant into the chamberof the upstream material processing unit; and ceasing the discharging ofthe fire suppressant into the chamber of the downstream materialprocessing unit after the ceasing of the discharging of the firesuppressant into the chamber of the upstream material processing unit.

The foregoing summary provides a few brief examples and is notexhaustive, and the present invention is not limited to the foregoingexamples. The foregoing examples, as well as other examples, are furtherexplained in the following detailed description with reference toaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are provided as examples, and they are typically schematicand may not be drawn to scale. The present invention may be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theexamples depicted in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a right elevation view of an agricultural harvester in theform of a cotton stripper, wherein some features that are normallyhidden from view are depicted by dashed lines, in accordance with afirst embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away, right elevation view of a portion of theharvester of FIG. 1, wherein portions of the right side of the harvesterhave been removed to show interior features of the harvester, wherein acorresponding partially cut-away, left elevation view of the sameportions of the harvester can substantially be a mirror image of FIG. 2,and wherein some features that are normally hidden from view aredepicted by dashed lines.

FIG. 3 is another right elevation view of a portion of the harvester ofFIG. 1, wherein some features that are normally hidden from view aredepicted by dashed lines.

FIG. 4 is a left, front pictorial view of a portion of the front end ofthe harvester of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts a substantially isolated view of a control cabinet of theharvester of FIG. 1, wherein the normally-closed control cabinet is inan open configuration for showing some of its contents, in accordancewith the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an isolated view of a portion of a piping system of theharvester of FIG. 1, wherein the portion depicted in FIG. 6 is locatedoutside of the control cabinet and connected to a suppression pump inthe control cabinet for supplying a liquid fire suppressant torespective spray nozzles in the harvester, in accordance with the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a right, front pictorial view of a portion of the front end ofthe harvester of FIG. 1, wherein some features that are normally hiddenfrom view are depicted by dashed lines.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a portion of the front end of theharvester of FIG. 3, wherein a portion of an upstream duct is depicted,and dashed lines schematically depict portions of optical detectors'fields of view, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a right pictorial view of an upper central portion of theharvester of FIG. 1, wherein some features that are normally hidden fromview are depicted by dashed lines.

FIG. 10 is an isolated, right cut-away view of an accumulator of theharvester of FIG. 1, wherein an isolated, left-side cut-away view can bea mirror image of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is an isolated, front cut-away view of the accumulator of theharvester of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an isolated, top cut-away view of the accumulator of theharvester of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is an upwardly directed pictorial view from within theaccumulator of the harvester of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 13 depicts anupper-right nozzle assembly, and wherein a view corresponding to FIG.13, except for being taken from the opposite side, can be a mirror imageof FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is an isolated pictorial view of the upper-right nozzle assemblyof FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a left elevation view of the upper-right nozzle assembly ofFIG. 14, wherein dashed lines schematically depict otherwise hiddenbored holes and fluid-conveying passages.

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 14,wherein a rear elevation view of the nozzle assembly can be a mirrorimage of FIG. 16, and wherein dashed lines schematically depictotherwise hidden threaded holes.

FIG. 17 is a top pictorial view of a portion of the accumulator of theharvester of FIG. 1, wherein some features that are hidden from view aredepicted by dashed lines.

FIG. 18 is a downwardly directed pictorial view from within theaccumulator of the harvester of FIG. 1, wherein a view corresponding toFIG. 18, except for being taken from the opposite side, can be a mirrorimage of FIG. 18.

FIG. 19 is an isolated pictorial view of a lower nozzle assembly of theaccumulator of the harvester of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is an isolated, front pictorial view of a portion of a modulebuilder (e.g., baler) of the harvester of FIG. 1, wherein stipplingschematically depicts portions of spray patterns.

FIG. 21 is an isolated pictorial view of a nozzle assembly that isrepresentative of nozzle assemblies partially shown in FIG. 20, inaccordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a right pictorial view of an outer portion of the modulebuilder of the harvester of FIG. 1, when a left pictorial view of asimilar outer portion of the module builder can be substantially similarto FIG. 22.

FIG. 23 is an isolated pictorial view of a nozzle assembly that ispartially shown in FIG. 22, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a substantially isolated, front elevation view of a portionof a downstream duct of the harvester of FIG. 1, wherein dashed linesschematically depict optical detectors' fields of view, in accordancewith the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 is like FIG. 11, except, for example, that dashed linesschematically depict portions of optical detectors' fields of view, inaccordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is like FIG. 11, except, for example, that dashed linesschematically depict portions of optical detectors' fields of view, andfeeder shafts are omitted in order to clarify the view, in accordancewith the first embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an isolated, partially cross-sectional view of a spray nozzlein its closed configuration, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 28 depicts the spray nozzle of FIG. 27 in its opened configuration,and positioned in a hole in a top wall of the accumulator of theharvester of FIG. 1, wherein a portion of a pipe fitting is explodedaway from a nipple of the spray nozzle, in accordance with the firstembodiment.

FIG. 29 is like FIG. 10, except, for example, that a portion of a spraypattern is schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 30 is like FIG. 11, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 31 is like FIG. 12, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 32 is like FIG. 10, except, for example, that a portion of a spraypattern is schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 33 is like FIG. 11, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 34 is like FIG. 12, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 35 is like FIG. 10, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 36 is like FIG. 11, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 37 is like FIG. 12, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 38 is an isolated view of a body of the lower nozzle assembly ofFIG. 19, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 39 is like FIG. 11, except, for example, that portions of spraypatterns are schematically depicted by dashed lines, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of embodiments are disclosed in the following. The presentinvention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Forexample, features disclosed as part of one embodiment or example can beused in the context of another embodiment or example to yield a furtherembodiment or example. As another example of the breadth of thisdisclosure, it is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more ofthe terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and/or the like, toqualify each of the adjectives and adverbs of the Detailed Descriptionsection of disclosure, as discussed in greater detail below.

An aspect of this disclosure can be provision of systems and methods fordetecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adversefire-related conditions (e.g., sparks, embers, and/or flames) inagricultural machinery, for example vehicles configured to processharvested plant material (e.g., harvesters, combine harvesters, and/orcotton harvesters). In a first embodiment of this disclosure, both asystem for detecting the adverse conditions and a system for at leastpartially controlling and/or suppressing the adverse conditions areincorporated into an agricultural machine in the form of a vehicleconfigured for harvesting (e.g., “a harvester”), wherein the harvesterwas a conventional JOHN DEERE CS690 Cotton Stripper prior to beingretrofitted with the detection and suppression systems. Notwithstanding,a wide variety of differently configured types of agricultural machinery(e.g., harvesters and/or vehicles configured to process harvested plantmaterial) are within the scope of this disclosure.

The first embodiment suppression system is configured and operated sothat the at least partially controlling and/or suppressing includesdischarging one or more liquid fire suppressants (e.g., liquid firesuppression agents) in a variety of predetermined and coordinated waysin an effort to at least partially control and/or suppress sparks,embers, and/or flames at predetermined locations in, on, and/or aroundthe harvester. The fire suppressant of the first embodiment is typicallywater-based. Alternatively, it is believed that other types of firesuppressants may be used.

In one of several different examples of operating the suppression systemthat are discussed in greater detail below, the operation of thesuppression system can be manually initiated and/or automaticallyinitiated in response to the detection system detecting one or morefire-related conditions associated with the harvester. Alternatively,the automated detection system, or portions thereof, may be omitted.More generally, whereas this disclosure describes various combinationsof features, subcombinations of those features are also within the scopeof this disclosure.

For ease of understanding and providing a frame of reference believed tobe used substantially consistently throughout the Detailed Descriptionsection of this disclosure, it is noted that FIG. 1 is a right elevationview of a harvester 10 of the first embodiment, and it is further notedthat a front elevation view of the harvester 10 would be seen by anobserver standing in front of the harvester and looking toward the frontof the harvester. Based upon the frame of reference provided in thesentence immediately above, it is believed that the conventions of“multiview projection” are used substantially consistently throughoutthe Detailed Description section of this disclosure.

The harvester 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is an example of a vehicleconfigured to at least partially process harvested plant material,wherein other examples of such vehicles are within the scope of thisdisclosure. More specifically, FIG. 1 depicts an example of a vehicle inthe form of a cotton-stripper harvester 10 that can be used to harvestplant material. The harvested plant material can include ripe cottonbolls and associated debris (e.g., green cotton bolls, and stems andleaves of cotton plants). The ripe cotton bolls include raw cotton(e.g., cotton fiber with seeds) that typically constitutes a majority ofthe final product (e.g., bales 336 (FIG. 2)) output by the harvester 10,as will be discussed in greater detail below.

In the example of FIG. 1, a chassis of the harvester 10 includes a framesupported by front and rear wheels 12. Typically at least a pair of thewheels 12 is steerable. The harvester frame can include a platform 14(e.g., deck) that extends horizontally and can be configured to functionas a main supporting structure for components of the harvester 10. U.S.Pat. No. 7,631,716 is believed to disclose an example of a suitablechassis (e.g., wheels 12, platform 14, and/or other suitable framecomponents).

With continued reference to FIG. 1, an engine compartment 16 can besupported below the frame platform 14. The engine compartment 16 cancontain a gasoline or diesel engine configured to drive one or morehydraulic pumps. The hydraulic pumps can be part of a conventionalhydraulic drive system for driving various hydraulic actuators (e.g.,hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders) that are configured to driverespective components of the harvester 10. For example, any suitablenumbers of the wheels 12 can be driven by hydraulic motors. A cab 18with glass windows can be supported on top of a forward portion of theframe platform 14 for accommodating at least one user that can operatecontrols of the harvester 10, for example for controlling the speed anddirection of travel of the harvester 10.

The harvester 10 can be described as having several material processingunits that are supported by the chassis (e.g., wheels 12 and platform14) and are configurable to cooperatively define at least one materialflow path for the harvested plant material. In the first embodiment,when the harvester 10 is in a harvesting configuration, as discussed ingreater detail below, the material processing units are arranged inseries along the harvester's material flow path, so that at least asignificant percentage of the harvested cotton passes through thematerial processing units in a serial manner.

In the following, a high-level description of the material processingunits of the harvester 10 is followed by high-level descriptions of thesuppression and detection systems of the harvester. Thereafter, thedetection and suppression systems, and some of the features of theharvester 10, are discussed in greater detail.

A high-level overview of the material processing units of the harvester10 can be generally understood with reference to FIG. 1. The materialprocessing units can include a conventional harvesting apparatus 20,conventional separator 22 (e.g., separation chamber), upstream duct 24,conventional intermediate duct 26, conventional field cleaner 28,downstream duct 30, accumulator 32, module builder 34 (e.g., baler), andconventional unloader 36 that are configured to be arranged in seriesalong, and at least partially define, the harvester's material flowpath. In the first embodiment, the upstream duct 24, downstream duct 30,accumulator 32, and module builder 34 were conventional prior to beingretrofitted with the detection and suppression systems.

In the partially cut-away view depicted in FIG. 2, unnumbered arrowsschematically depict some of the harvester's material flow pathextending at least partially through some of the material processingunits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. One or more of the materialprocessing units can be arranged differently, one or more of thematerial processing units can be omitted, different types of materialprocessing units can be included, and there can be more than one of eachtype material processing unit (e.g., arranged in parallel).

In the example of FIG. 1, the harvesting apparatus 20 defines anupstream end of the harvester's material flow path, and the harvestingapparatus is configured to gather plant material by “strip harvesting”cotton plants. The first embodiment harvesting apparatus 20 isconfigured so that the strip harvesting performed typically includesgathering at least ripe cotton bolls, green cotton bolls, and stems andleaves of the cotton plants. The green cotton bolls, stems, and leavesmay be referred to as debris, and additional debris (e.g., any rocks,dirt, scraps of metal, and/or other debris in the field being harvested)can be drawn into the harvester's material flow path by the harvestingapparatus 20, as will be discussed in greater detail below. As will alsobe discussed in greater detail below, the harvesting apparatus 20 can beconfigured differently for gathering plant material in different ways.

The harvester's material flow path can extend from the harvestingapparatus 20 to the separator 22, so that the separator receives theripe cotton bolls and any associated debris. The separator 22 andassociated features are configured in a manner that seeks to cause theripe cotton bolls to remain in the harvester's material flow path, andseeks to cause relatively heavy and/or dense debris (e.g., as comparedto the ripe cotton bolls) to fall downwardly out of the harvester'smaterial flow path, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The harvester's material flow path can extend from the separator 22 tothe upstream duct 24, and from the upstream duct to the intermediateduct 26, so that the upstream and intermediate ducts receive the ripecotton bolls and any accompanying debris. The intermediate duct 26 isconfigured in a manner that seeks to cause the ripe cotton bolls toremain in the harvester's material flow path, and seeks to causerelatively small debris (e.g., as compared to the ripe cotton bolls) toflow upwardly out of the harvester's material flow path, as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

The harvester's material flow path can extend from the intermediate duct26 to the cleaner 28 (e.g., field cleaner), so that the cleaner receivesthe ripe cotton bolls and any accompanying debris. The cleaner 28 isconfigured to at least partially separate the raw cotton fiber withseeds of the ripe cotton bolls from accompanying debris. The separateddebris typically includes at least some of the remnant parts of the ripecotton bolls that are not cotton fibers, as will be discussed in greaterdetail below.

The harvester's material flow path can extend from the cleaner 28 to aninterior space of a chamber of the accumulator 32 (e.g., accumulatorchamber). As will be discussed in greater detail below, occasionally therotating machinery in the harvesting apparatus 20 and/or field cleaner28 may engage any rocks, scraps of metal, and/or any other types ofdebris that is contained in the harvester's material flow path. Any suchengagement may create sparks such that sparks or embers may be entrainedin the harvester's material flow path. The sparks and embers mayinteract with harvested plant material in the accumulator chamber, andcause a fire, as discussed in greater detail below. Fires originating inaccumulator chambers have been known to spread and result in the totaldestruction of conventional harvesters. As additional examples, it isbelieved that sparks, embers, and/or fires in harvesters may result froma variety of other causes, including equipment malfunction, and perhapsalso lightening strikes, static electricity, or the like.

The harvester's material flow path can extend from the accumulator 32 toan interior space of a chamber of the module builder 34 (e.g., “balerchamber”). That is, the module builder 34 (e.g., baler) receives thecotton fiber with seeds and associated remnant debris (collectively “rawcotton”). The accumulator 32 is configured to serially accumulatebatches of the raw cotton, and serially provide the batches to themodule builder 34, in a repetitive manner. The module builder 34 isconfigured to form each batch of raw cotton into a module (e.g., arectangular, cylindrical, or other suitably configured bale 336 (FIG.2)), and serially discharge the formed modules to the unloader 36 in arepetitive manner, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The relative configurations of the material processing units 20, 22, 24,26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 can differ from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Forexample as shown in FIG. 3, typically at least the harvesting apparatus20 (FIG. 1) and separator 22 may be removed from the remainder of theharvester 10. Also, FIGS. 1-3 depict the harvester 10 in its relativelytall or “harvesting configuration,” wherein the harvester is configuredto gather plant material, at least partially clean the plant material,and discharge modules (e.g., bales 336) of the at least partially cleanplant material (e.g., “raw cotton”). In contrast and as partially shownin FIG. 4, the harvester 10 can have a relatively low “public roadwayconfiguration” or “transport configuration.” A method of transforming tothe transport configuration can include lowering an upper portion of theaccumulator 32.

Whereas FIG. 3 depicts a pair of hydraulic actuators 38 for use inraising and lowering the upper portion of the accumulator 32, theforward one of those actuators is omitted from FIG. 1 in order to exposea feature (e.g., a spark or ember detector 70) that may otherwise be atleast partially hidden from view. As schematically depicted in FIG. 4 bya double ended arrow 39, there can be relative movement between thedownstream duct 30 and an upper portion of the accumulator 32 forconnecting and disconnecting therebetween.

Regarding a high-level overview of the first embodiment suppressionsystem, it is configured to at least partially control and/or suppressadverse fire-related conditions (e.g., sparks, embers, and/or flames) inthe accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32), balerchamber (e.g., the chamber of the module builder 34), and/or othersuitable locations. Referring to FIG. 4, the suppression system caninclude one or more tanks 40 for containing a liquid fire suppressant(e.g., water or a water-based solution) for use in at least partiallycontrolling and/or suppressing sparks, embers, and/or flames (e.g.,adverse fire-related conditions) at predetermined locations in, on, andaround the harvester 10. In the first embodiment, the tanks 40 can besupplemented with at least one other tank (not shown) that is aconventional component of the harvester 10. More generally, thesuppression system can include one or more tanks 40 for containing theliquid fire suppressant and/or other tank(s) (not shown). At least oneof the other tanks can be a conventional component of the harvester 10and be configured for containing water or a water-based solution, foruse in at least partially controlling and/or suppressing sparks, embers,and/or flames.

In the example of FIG. 4, a support frame 41 mounted to the left side ofthe platform 14 is configured to both securely hold the tanks 40 andallow the tanks to be removed from the harvester 10 during the“transport configuration,” or the like. In FIG. 4, the support frame 41is depicted as including cantilevered supports respectively beneath, andsupporting, the tanks 40, and brackets including straps configured tohold the tanks in place on the cantilevered supports. The cantileveredsupports and brackets are typically mounted to the harvester 10 byremovable fasteners, for example bolts and/or any other suitablefasteners, so that at least a portion of the support frame 41 (e.g., thecantilevered supports and associated brackets) can be convenientlyremoved from the harvester 10 during the “transport configuration,” orthe like.

Referring to FIG. 5, electric motor-operated suppression pumps 42, 44,46 can receive a liquid fire suppressing agent (e.g., “firesuppressant”) from the tanks 40 and/or other sources by way of one ormore pipe networks that can include filter(s) and/or strainer fitting(s)(not shown). Throughout this Detailed Description section of thisdisclosure, “pipe” is intended to broadly embrace suitable conduitsconfigured for transporting the liquid fire suppressant under pressure(e.g., placing respective features in fluid communication with oneanother). The fire suppressant of the first embodiment is water, orwater-based. One or more additives can be added to the water, forexample suitable fire retardants. Whereas the fire suppressant of thefirst embodiment is in liquid form, it is believed that one or morealternative embodiments may optionally use a gaseous fire suppressantand/or those fire suppression products commonly referred to as wet ordry chemical agents. However, using water or a water-based firesuppressant can be advantageous due, for example, to water beingrelatively readily available.

The electric motor-operated suppression pumps 42, 44, 46 can be operatedto pressurize the fire suppressant, so that the fire suppressant issupplied by way of respective communication paths to aretractable/extendable hose 48 (FIGS. 1-3 and 7) and numerous spraynozzles of the suppression system. In the first embodiment, thesuppression system includes sixteen spray nozzles of six differenttypes, although different numbers and types are within the scope of thisdisclosure. The spray nozzles can be configured to discharge the firesuppressant into predetermined portions of the harvester's material flowpath, for at least partially controlling and/or suppressing any sparks,embers, and/or flames (e.g., adverse fire-related conditions) in thepredetermined portions of the harvester's material flow path.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 10, 11, and 13, one or more spray nozzles 50 canbe mounted in respective upper areas of the accumulator 32, and they maybe referred to as central-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles. Thecentral-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 can be configured tospray the fire suppressant at least downwardly into the interior spaceof the accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32), aswill be discussed in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 10-13, one or more upper nozzles, or uppernozzle assemblies 52, can be mounted in opposite upper areas of theaccumulator 32. Referring to FIGS. 14-16, each of the upper nozzleassemblies 52 can include a middle spray nozzle 54 positioned betweenforward and rearward spray nozzles 56. Each of the spray nozzles 54, 56may be referred to as an accumulator-suppression nozzle, and each can beconfigured to spray the fire suppressant at least partially downwardlyinto the interior space of the accumulator chamber, as will be discussedin greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 18 and 19, one or more lateral lower nozzles, orlower nozzle assemblies 58, can be mounted in opposite lower areas ofthe accumulator 32, and they may be referred to as lateral loweraccumulator-suppression nozzles or lower nozzle assemblies. Referring toFIG. 19, each of the lower nozzle assemblies 58 can include an upperspray nozzle 60 and a lower spray nozzle 62. Each of the spray nozzles60, 62 may be referred to as an accumulator-suppression nozzle, and eachcan be configured to spray the fire suppressant at least sideways intothe interior space of the accumulator chamber, as will be discussed ingreater detail below.

The first embodiment suppression pump 42 (FIG. 5) is part of arelatively high-flow, medium-pressure, fire-suppression system for theaccumulator 32 (e.g., “accumulator-suppression subsystem”). The firstembodiment accumulator-suppression subsystem includes (e.g., theaccumulator-suppression pump 42 supplies fire suppressant under pressureto) the accumulator-suppression nozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62.

FIG. 6 depicts a portion of a liquid distribution (e.g., pipe) network100 of the first embodiment accumulator-suppression subsystem. FIG. 3depicts an example wherein the pipe network 100 is at least partiallypositioned proximate, adjacent, or in a space between, the cleaner 28and a middle section of the accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber ofthe accumulator 32), under the accumulator chamber, and/or in any othersuitable location.

As best understood with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, theaccumulator-suppression piping 100 of the first embodiment includes atleast one supply pipe 102 having an upstream end connected to the outletof the accumulator-suppression pump 42, and a downstream end connectedby a tee fitting to both an upper piping system 104 and at least oneintermediate pipe 106. The at least one upper piping system 104 cansupply fire suppressant under pressure from the accumulator-suppressionpump 42 to the upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50, 54, 56. Theintermediate pipe 106 can include or have connected thereto at least onefilter or strainer fitting 108 and/or a valve 110 for restricting flowthrough the intermediate pipe when the accumulator-suppression pump 42is not operating.

A downstream end of the intermediate pipe 106 can be connected by a teefitting to one or more lower piping systems 112. The lower piping system112 can supply fire suppressant under pressure from theaccumulator-suppression pump 42 respectively to the lower nozzleassemblies 58 (e.g., the lower accumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62).In FIG. 3, a portion of a leg of the lower piping system 112 is hiddenfrom view behind a conventional panel of the harvester 10. Accordingly,the hidden portion of the leg of the lower piping system 112 isschematically depicted by dashed lines in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 20 and 21, one or more lower spray nozzles 64 canbe mounted in opposite lower areas of the module builder 34 (e.g.,baler), and they may be referred to as lower baler-suppression nozzles.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 23, one or more upper spray nozzles 66 can bemounted in opposite upper areas of the module builder 34, and they maybe referred to as upper baler-suppression nozzles. The baler-suppressionnozzles 64, 66 can be respectively mounted at opposite upper and lowerportions of opposite sides of the module builder 34. Thebaler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 can be configured to spray the firesuppressant at least sideways into the interior space of the modulebuilder 34, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The first embodiment suppression pump 44 (FIG. 5) is part of arelatively very high-pressure, low-flow, fire-suppression system for themodule builder (e.g., “baler-suppression subsystem”). The firstembodiment baler-suppression subsystem includes (e.g., themodule-builder or baler-suppression pump 44 supplies fire suppressantunder pressure to) the baler-suppression nozzles 64. Referring to FIG.3, at least one pipe or piping system 114 of the baler-suppressionsubsystem can supply fire suppressant under pressure from thebaler-suppression pump 44 to the baler-suppression nozzles 64, 66.Locations of the piping of this disclosure can be varied depending upona variety of factors, for example the type and configuration of theagricultural vehicle, harvester, or the like. For example, one or moreof the piping systems 104, 114, or portions thereof, depicted in FIG. 3as being on the right side of the harvester 10 can alternatively bepositioned on the left side of the harvester.

The first embodiment spot-suppression pump 46 is part of a part ofrelatively medium-flow fire-suppression system for use in at leastpartially controlling and/or suppressing spot fires on and/or around theharvester (e.g., “spot-suppression subsystem”). The first embodimentspot-suppression subsystem includes (e.g., the spot-suppression pump 46supplies fire suppressant under pressure to) the hose 48 (FIGS. 1-3 and7) on a reel. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 7, a hose-end nozzle 49 (FIG.7) (e.g., a nozzle that is manually-operable by depressing and releasinga hand-operated lever) can be connected to the free end of the hose 48for use in at least partially controlling and/or suppressing spot fireson and/or around the harvester, as will be discussed in greater detailbelow. As an example, the use of the term “relative” with respect to thespot-suppression, accumulator-suppression, and baler-suppressionsubsystems can be understood in the context of comparing thespot-suppression, accumulator-suppression, and baler-suppressionsubsystems with one another.

Referring to FIG. 7, at least one pipe or piping system 116 of thespot-suppression subsystem can supply fire suppressant under pressurefrom the spot-suppression pump 46 to the hose-end nozzle 49 by way ofthe retractable/extendable hose 48. In one example, the hose 48 is afifty foot or other suitable length flexible hose that can be drawn offof, and wound back onto, the reel depicted in the drawings (e.g., aretractable/extendable hose reel).

In some examples, operation of one or more features of the suppressionsystem (e.g., operation of the suppression pumps 42, 44, 46) can bemanually initiated. In other examples, operation of one or more featuresof the suppression system (e.g., operation of the suppression pumps 42,44, 46) can be automatically initiated in response to the detectionsystem detecting that a fire-related condition in a portion of theharvester's material flow path exceeds a predetermined threshold. Inthis regard, the detection system can include one or more detectorsconfigured in a manner that seeks to detect fire-related conditions(e.g., predetermined electromagnetic radiation and/or heat). As a morespecific example and in accordance with the first embodiment, thedetection system can include eight detectors configured in a manner thatseeks to detect fire-related conditions (e.g., predeterminedelectromagnetic radiation and/or heat), and the detectors can be ofdifferent types. At least partially reiterating from above, theinclusion of detectors may be optional, and, if present, a variety ofdifferent numbers, arrangements, and types of detectors are within thescope of this disclosure.

The following high-level overview of the first embodiment detectionsystem begins with reference to one or more of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8.The detection system can include one or more detectors 68 mounted to theupstream duct 24, and the detectors 68 may be referred to as upstreamdetectors. The upstream detectors 68 can be configured in a manner thatseeks to detect fire-related conditions (e.g., sparks and/or embers) inthe internal pathway of the upstream duct 24, as will be discussed ingreater detail below.

Referring to one or more of FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and 24, the detection systemcan include one or more detectors 70 mounted to the downstream duct 30,and the detectors 70 may be referred to as downstream detectors. Thedownstream detectors 70 can be configured in a manner that seeks todetect fire-related conditions (e.g., sparks and/or embers) in theinternal pathway defined of the downstream duct 30, as will be discussedin greater detail below.

Referring to one or more of FIGS. 2, 10, 11, 13, and 17, the detectionsystem can include one or more detectors 72 mounted in respective upperareas of the accumulator 32, and they may be referred to asupper-accumulator detectors. The upper-accumulator detectors 72 can beconfigured in a manner that seeks to detect fire-related conditions(e.g., thermal radiation) in the interior space of the accumulatorchamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32), as will be discussedin greater detail below.

Referring to one or more of FIGS. 10, 11, and 18, the detection systemcan include one or more detectors 74 mounted in opposite lower areas ofthe accumulator 32, and they may be referred to as lower-accumulatordetectors. The lower-accumulator detectors 74 can be configured in amanner that seeks to detect fire-related conditions (e.g., embeddedfire) in the interior space of the accumulator chamber, as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

In the first embodiment, each of the detectors 68, 70, 72, 74 can have alens assembly 76 (FIGS. 8, 11, 13, and 24) mounted to a housing 78(FIGS. 8, 11, 17 and 24) containing the sensor(s) and other conventionalcomponents of the detector. The lens assembly 76 can include a tubular(e.g., generally cylindrical) barrel having opposite proximate anddistal ends. The proximate end can be mounted to the detector housing 78and in an optical communication with the sensor(s) through an opening inthe housing. The distal end can contain a lens or other suitable opticaldevice operatively associated with at least the sensor(s) to provide aconical or frustoconical field of view of the detector. The field ofview typically is the solid angle through which the detector issensitive to electromagnetic radiation.

Referring to FIG. 5, the detection and suppression systems can eachinclude, or they can share, at least one fire-resistant and/orfire-proof control chamber, enclosure, box, or container 80 enclosing(e.g., fully enclosing) the electric motor-operated pumps 42, 44, 46.The control container 80 typically further contains at least one battery(“system battery 82”) for providing electrical power to the electricalcomponents of the suppression and detection systems. The controlcontainer 80 typically further contains at least one controller (“systemcontroller 86”) for providing signals to, and receiving signals from,respective components of the suppression and detection systems. Thecontrol container 80 can include panels (e.g., top and bottom panels,right and left side panels, and a rear panel) that collectively extendaround an interior space of the control container, and an opening of thecontrol container can be opened and closed by a door associated with alatch for releasably securing the door in its closed configuration.

Referring also to FIG. 4, the control container 80 can be mounted, forexample by way of mounting brackets, to the frame platform 14, andpositioned between the tanks 40 and the accumulator 32. In the firstembodiment, components of the suppression and detection systems (e.g.,components of the accumulator-suppression, baler-suppression, andspot-suppression subsystems) that are outside of the control container80 (FIGS. 1 and 5) are typically constructed of at least fire resistantand/or fire proof material.

In FIG. 1, the control container 80 is hidden from view; therefore, thecontrol container and system battery 82 are schematically depicted bydashed lines in FIG. 1. For ease of illustration and/or for providing analternative example, FIG. 1 depicts the control container 80 as being onthe far (e.g., left) side of the cleaner 28. Notwithstanding, thecontrol container 80 of the first embodiment is typically on the far(e.g., left) side of the accumulator 32, although different arrangementsare within the scope of this disclosure. The engine compartment 16typically contains at least one suitable engine that drives analternator or generator that charges at least one engine battery 84contained in the engine compartment in a conventional manner. The enginebattery 84 and system battery 82 can be electrically connected to oneanother (e.g., in parallel) by electrical wiring 90 connectedtherebetween so that the system battery is electrically charged by wayof the engine battery and/or the alternator, generator, or the like.More generally, the system battery 82 can be in electrical communicationwith the conventional electrical system of the harvester 10 formaintaining the electrical charge of the system battery 82. The systemand engine batteries 82, 84 can each be a twelve volt battery, althoughdifferent voltages may be suitable.

In the first embodiment, the system battery 82 is a dedicated batteryfor providing electrical power to the detection and suppression systemsof the harvester 10. For example, the electrically charged systembattery 82 can provide electrical power to the detection and suppressionsystems of the harvester 10 after failure of any one or more of theelectrical wiring 90, engine battery 84, alternator, generator, and/orthe like. Different types, numbers, and arrangements of batteries arewithin the scope of this disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the system battery 82 can supply power to (e.g., iselectrically connected to) the electric motor of each of the suppressionpumps 42, 44, 46, and also the controller 86, by way of respectivewiring (not shown) that is contained in the control chamber 80. For eachsuppression pump 42, 44, 46, the electrical connection that is betweenit and the system battery 82, and positioned in the control chamber 80,can include a motor-controlling switch (not shown) for opening andclosing the electrical circuit that electrically connects together thepump and the system battery. Each motor-controlling switch can be arelay switch or contactor that is electrically connected by wiring (notshown) to the system controller 86, so that the system controller canseparately control operation of the suppression pumps 42, 44, 46, aswill be discussed in greater detail below. Alternatively, there may bedifferent numbers and arrangements of pumps, some of which may betogether controlled by the same relay switch or contactor, or the like.

The system controller 86 can comprise at least one digital computer(e.g., programmable logic controller) including, for example, one ormore of each of a central processing unit or processor, computerhardware integrated circuits or memory, data storage, and/or equipmentinterfaces. For example, one or more of the equipment interfaces of thesystem controller 86 can be operatively associated with themotor-controlling switches for the suppression pumps 42, 44, 46, forcontrolling operation of those switches and, thus, operation of thesuppression pumps. As further examples, one or more of the equipmentinterfaces of the system controller 86 can be respectively connected tothe detectors 68, 70, 72, 74 by wiring and/or in any other suitablemanner. As another example, one or more of the equipment interfaces ofthe system controller 86 can be operatively associated one or more userinterfaces 92 (FIG. 1) configured to allow a user to provide commandsand information to the system controller 86, and configured to allow thesystem controller 86 to output information to the user. For example, theinput-type feature(s) of the user interfaces can include a keyboard, acursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a visual display with touchfunctionality (e.g., capacitive or other sensors that are configured todetect physical contact), and/or any other suitable devices. Asadditional examples, the output-type feature(s) of the user interfaces92 can include a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speaker(for providing a fire alarm), and/or any other suitable devices. Thesystem controller 86 can be in the form of a distributed computingsystem; therefore, the features of the system controller 86 can bespread between separate computers, and each of those separate computerscan be contained in the control container 80 and/or other suitable fireproof locations.

In the example of FIG. 1, a first of the user interfaces 92 can bemounted inside the cab 18 (e.g., at a position proximate or adjacent asteering wheel for use in steering the harvester 10), and a second ofthe user interfaces 92 can be mounted to the frame platform 14 outsidethe cab (e.g., at a position proximate or adjacent the hose reel 48).Each of the user interfaces 92 can comprise depressible buttons, iconsdisplayed by a visual display and/or other suitable features for beingmanually depressed, selected, or the like, by a user to at leastpartially control respective features of the suppression system, and theuser interfaces can also display information about the suppression anddetection systems, as discussed in greater detail below. Features of thesystem controller 86 and user interfaces 92 may be implemented invarious manners, including software, hardware, firmware, or anycombinations thereof, for facilitating respective aspects of thisdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1 and regarding the first embodiment harvestingapparatus 20 in greater detail, it includes moving machinery, namelyrotating machinery, configured to harvest and transport plant materialincluding ripe cotton bolls and associated debris. In some situations,the debris may include rocks, scraps of metal, and/or other types ofdebris that may engage with the harvester (e.g., the rotating machinery)in a manner that may produce one or more sparks and/or embers inrespective portions of the harvester's material flow path, so that thesparks and/or embers are carried along with the other contents inrespective portions of the harvester's material flow path. As will bediscussed in greater detail below, the detection system can beconfigured in a manner that seeks to detect such sparks, embers, and/orany associated fires, and the suppression system can be configured in amanner that seeks to at least partially control and/or suppress suchsparks, embers, and/or any associated fires, or the like.

Regarding the harvesting apparatus 20 in greater detail, it can besupported by the harvester framework (e.g., some of which is shown inFIG. 7) extending below and forward of the front end of the frameplatform 14, or the like. The harvesting apparatus 20 can include seriesof strippers units 118 extending along, and each extending obliquelyforwardly and downwardly from, a crosswise auger mechanism 120. Thecrosswise auger mechanism 120 can include a housing supporting rotatingmachinery in the form of one or more hydraulic motor-driven crosswiseaugers 122 (e.g., crosswise auger conveyors). The crosswise augers 122are hidden from view in FIG. 1; therefore, one of the crosswise augers122 is schematically depicted by a dashed circle in FIG. 1.

The first embodiment stripper units 118 are configured to remove (e.g.,strip) cotton plant material and supply it to the crosswise augermechanism 120. Each stripper unit 118 can include at least one housingsupported by the crosswise auger mechanism 120. More specifically, eachstripper unit 118 can include a generally dual-prong-shaped housing suchthat a slot is defined between the two prongs. The slot defined betweenthe prongs is typically forwardly, upwardly and downwardly open forreceiving a row of upright cotton plants. Each housing prong can supportan agitator or rotary machinery in the form of a hydraulic motor-drivenrotary brush 124, so that each stripper unit 118 includes a pair ofcounter-rotating rotary brushes 124 between which a nip or narrow gap isdefined for receiving (e.g., stripping) a row of upright cotton plants.The rotary brushes 124 are hidden from view in FIG. 1; therefore, arepresentative rotary brush is schematically depicted by a dashed linein FIG. 1. Each inclined rotary brush 124 (e.g., rotating machinerycomprising metal and/or metallic alloy) can extend obliquely, forwardlyand downwardly relative to the crosswise auger mechanism 120.

In each stripper unit 118, each housing prong can further support arotary machinery in the form of an inclined auger 126 (e.g., a hydraulicmotor-driven inclined auger conveyor) configured to extend along, and ata lower elevation than, the associated rotary brush 124. The plantmaterial removed (e.g., stripped) by the rotary brushes 124 is conveyedrearwardly by the inclined augers 126 to the crosswise auger mechanism120.

In each housing prong of each stripper unit 118, the inclined auger 126can be part of an inclined auger conveyor that includes an inclinedtrough in receipt of the inclined auger (e.g., rotating machinerycomprising metal and/or metallic alloy). The inclined trough andinclined auger 126 can be cooperatively configured to at least partiallyclean the stripped plant material and at least partially remove anyother material being conveyed rearwardly and upwardly by the inclinedauger conveyor 126. For example, the inclined trough can includedownwardly and outwardly open slots configured in a manner that seeks tofacilitate removal of undesirable debris (e.g., dirt) from the inclinedtrough and/or to facilitate stalk breakage and removal. The downstreamends of the inclined auger conveyors 126 are typically open to thecrosswise augers 122 of the crosswise auger mechanism 120 for supplyingthe removed plant material to the crosswise auger mechanism. Thecrosswise auger mechanism 120 can include a pair of the crosswise augers122 (e.g., rotating machinery comprising metal and/or metallic alloy)that are arranged end-to-end with respect to one another and includeopposite flighting to move the removed plant material inwardly toward atleast one central, rearwardly-facing outlet of the crosswise augermechanism.

In the first embodiment, the lower end of the at least one separationduct or chamber 22 is connected to the outlet(s) of the crosswise augermechanism 120 for receiving the plant material and any associatedmaterials from the crosswise auger mechanism. An upper end of theseparation 28 chamber is open to a lower end of the upstream duct 24 forsupplying at least ripe cotton bolls thereto. Referring to FIG. 2, atleast one hydraulic motor-driven mechanical fan 132 (e.g., “upstreamconveying fan”) can be in at least indirect fluid communication with oneor more of the separator 22 and upstream duct 24 for at least partiallyforming an upstream portion of the harvester's material flow path (e.g.,for at least partially forming an upstream forced-air flow path portionof the harvester's material flow path). The first embodiment upstreamforced-air flow path is configured to draw and/or push the ripe cottonbolls and associated relatively light debris from the outlet of thecrosswise auger mechanism 120, into and through the separator 22, andinto the inlet of the upstream duct 24. As best understood withreference to FIG. 2, the upstream conveying fan 132 can supply airflowto air nozzles 134, or the like, that respectively discharge airoriginating from the upstream conveying fan into interior spaces of theseparator 22 and upstream duct 24. That discharged air at leastpartially forms the upstream forced-air flow path within the separator22 and upstream duct 24.

The separator 22 can be in the form of a downwardly open duct orchamber. The one or more downward openings of the separator 22 can beconfigured to allow heavier, undesirable material, such as at least someof the green bolls, to drop from the upstream forced-air flow path,while lighter materials, including the ripe cotton bolls, are floatedrearwardly and/or upwardly through the separator and into the upstreamduct 24. The air nozzles 134 in the interior of the chamber of theseparator 22 can open upwardly and rearwardly to provide an air flowthat helps propel the lighter material upwardly and rearwardly over thelower opening of the separator and through the upstream duct 24. Theupstream duct 24 typically extends through an appropriate opening in theframe platform 14.

It is believed that any sparks and/or embers generated in associationwith one or more of the rotating pieces of machinery of the harvestingapparatus 20 (FIG. 1) may be drawn into and travel along the harvester'smaterial flow path in a manner that may ignite the plant material in theharvester's material flow path. The one or more upstream detectors 68(FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8) can be mounted to the upstream duct 24 andconfigured in a manner that seeks to detect any sparks and/or emberspositioned in (e.g. traveling through) the internal pathway of theupstream duct. The upstream detectors 68 can each be infrared detectors,for example short-wave infrared detectors, configured in a manner thatseeks to detect at least sparks and/or embers, or other suitabledetectors may be used.

In the example of FIG. 8, the upstream detectors 68 are mounteddistantly from one another, or more specifically opposite from oneanother, by being mounted to opposite walls of the upstream duct 24. Foreach upstream detector 68 and the upstream duct wall to which it ismounted, its housing 78 can be engaged against the outer surface of thewall panel and its lens assembly 76 can be positioned in a holeextending through the wall panel. The upstream detectors 68 can bemounted to the upstream duct using suitable fasteners, frames,connectors, welds, and/or the like.

As schematically depicted in FIG. 8, the upstream detectors 68 can beright and left detectors respectively mounted to right and left sidewalls of the upstream duct 24, so that their respective fields of view136 are within the interior space of the upstream duct. In FIG. 8, muchof the interior space of the upstream duct 24 is hidden from view, andportions of the fields of view 136 are schematically depicted by dashedlines (e.g., in an approximated manner). The fields of view 136 canextend at least partially convergently with respect to one another, bedirected toward one another, overlap one another, and/or be coaxiallyaligned with one another. As another example, the fields of view 136 caneach have a central axis extending outwardly from the respectiveupstream detector 68, and these axes can extend convergently, or morespecifically about coaxially, toward one another. Each of the fields ofview 136 can be conical or frustoconical.

The field of view 136 of the left upstream detector 68 can be configuredso that at least a portion of the front wall of the upstream duct 24, atleast a portion of the rear wall of the upstream duct, at least aportion of the right wall of the upstream duct, and/or at least aportion of one or more other suitable features are within this field ofview. Similarly, the field of view 136 of the right upstream detector 68can be configured so that at least a portion of the front wall of theupstream duct 24, at least a portion of the rear wall of the upstreamduct, at least a portion of the left wall of the upstream duct, and/orat least a portion of one or more other suitable features are withinthis field of view.

As depicted in the example of FIG. 2, the upstream duct 24 typicallyextends through an appropriate opening in the harvester frame (e.g.,frame platform 14) for supplying the plant material from the upstreamduct to an inlet of the intermediate duct 26. The upstream forced-airflow path, which is at least partially provided by the one or more fans32 and air nozzles 134, continues through the intermediate duct 26. Theintermediate duct 26 can be curved in shape so that both the inlet andoutlet openings of the intermediate duct face at least generallydownward. The upper, forwardly-facing structure of the intermediate duct26 can be defined by grating 138. The grating 138 can be configured forboth allowing some of the undesirable plant material to be dischargedoutwardly through the grating into the ambient environment outside ofthe intermediate duct, and retaining at least a significant percentageof the ripe cotton bolls in the intermediate duct. Solid wall panels ofthe intermediate duct 26 that are downstream from the grating 138 canextend rearwardly and downwardly to direct at least cotton bolls throughthe outlet of the intermediate duct. One or more of U.S. Pat. Nos.4,606,177, 5,311,728 and 6,018,938 are believed to disclose examples ofsuitable harvesting apparatuses 16, separators 28, upstream ducts 30,fans 32, air nozzles 134, intermediate ducts 36, and/or other associatedfeatures.

Referring to FIG. 2, solid wall panels of the intermediate duct 26 thatare downstream from the grating 138 can extend rearwardly and downwardlyto an outlet of the intermediate duct that is open to an opening into achamber of the field cleaner 28. The chamber of the field cleaner 28(e.g., “cleaner chamber”) can be a housing, wherein an upright partition142 separates an upper inlet of the cleaner chamber from an upper outletof the cleaner chamber. Except for the upper inlet and upper outletseparated by the partition 142, and at least one lower outlet (notshown) equipped with an auger (not shown) for discharging debriscollected in the bottom of the cleaner chamber, the outer walls of thecleaner 28 can fully enclose the interior space of the cleaner chamber.The field cleaner 28 can be configured so that the upstream forced-airflow path carrying at least ripe cotton bolls enters the cleaner chamberthrough the upper inlet of the cleaner chamber.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the first embodiment field cleaner28 includes moving machinery, namely rotating machinery, configured toat least partially clean and transport predetermined portions of theharvested material that may include debris. In some situations, thedebris may include rocks, scraps of metal, and/or other types of debristhat may engage with the rotating machinery of the cleaner 28 in amanner that may produce one or more sparks and/or embers in theharvester's material flow path, so that the sparks and/or embers arecarried along with the other contents in the harvester's material flowpath. Reiterating from above and as will be discussed in greater detailbelow, the detection system can be configured in a manner that seeks todetect such sparks, embers, and/or any associated fires, and thesuppression system can be configured in a manner that seeks to at leastpartially control and/or suppress such sparks, embers, and/or anyassociated fires, or the like.

The inlet area of the cleaner chamber (e.g., the chamber of the fieldcleaner 28) can be configured to direct material flowing into thecleaner chamber toward and along rotating machinery in the form of atleast one rotary feeder shaft 144. The feeder shaft 144 (e.g., rotatingmachinery comprising metal and/or metallic alloy) can be configured todirect ripe cotton bolls and associated debris toward rotating machineryin the form of one or more rotary saw cylinders 146 that each have a“saw-toothed” outer periphery. As the saw cylinders 146 (e.g., rotatingmachinery comprising metal and/or metallic alloy) are rotated at a highspeed, ripe cotton bolls are snagged by the saw cylinders' peripheralsaw-teeth and the snagged bolls are hit against a series of stationarybars 148 (e.g., machinery comprising metal and/or metallic alloy) toseparate the debris from the raw cotton.

Rotating machinery in the form of a rotary doffer shaft 150 can beoperatively associated with the saw cylinders 146 and configured toremove (e.g., doff) the raw cotton from the saw cylinders 146. Ahydraulic motor-driven mechanical fan 152 (e.g., “downstream conveyingfan”) can at least partially form an intermediate portion of theharvester's material flow path (e.g., at least partially form adownstream forced-air flow path portion of the harvester's material flowpath). The first embodiment downstream forced-air flow path isoperatively associated with the doffer 150 (e.g., rotating machinerycomprising metal and/or metallic alloy) to receive the raw cotton fromthe doffer. At least the partition 142 can direct the downstreamforced-air flow path containing the raw cotton outwardly through theoutlet of the cleaning chamber. One or more of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,606,177,6,159,094 and 9,763,387 are believed to disclose examples of suitablecleaners 40 and/or other associated features.

In the example of FIG. 2, the downstream forced-air flow path extendsfrom the outlet of the cleaner 28 and into the downstream duct 30. Thedownstream forced-air flow path, which is at least partially provided bythe downstream conveying fan 152, can propel the raw cotton through thedownstream duct 30.

It is believed that any sparks and/or embers generated in associationwith one or more of the rotating pieces of machinery of the cleaner 28may be drawn into and travel along the harvester's material flow path ina manner that may ignite the plant material (e.g., raw cotton) in theharvester's material flow path. The one or more downstream detectors 70(FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and 24) can be mounted to the downstream duct 30 andconfigured in a manner that seeks to detect any one or more sparksand/or embers positioned in (e.g. traveling through) the internalpathway of the downstream duct. The downstream detectors 70 can each beinfrared detectors, for example short-wave infrared detectors,configured in a manner that seeks to detect at least sparks and/orembers, or other suitable detectors may be used.

In the example of FIG. 24, the downstream detectors 70 are mounteddistantly from one another, or more specifically opposite from oneanother, by being mounted to opposite walls of the downstream duct 30.For each downstream detector 70 and the downstream duct wall to which itis mounted, its housing 78 can be engaged against the outer surface ofthe wall panel and its lens assembly 76 can be positioned in a holeextending through the wall panel. The downstream detectors 70 can bemounted to the downstream duct using suitable fasteners, frames,connectors, welds, and/or the like. As schematically depicted in FIG.24, the downstream detectors 70 can be right and left detectorsrespectively mounted to right and left side walls of the downstream duct30, so that their respective fields of view 154 are within the interiorspace of the downstream duct. In FIG. 24, the interior space of thedownstream duct 30 is hidden from view, and the portions of the fieldsof view 154 are schematically depicted by dashed lines (e.g., in anapproximated manner). The fields of view 154 can extend at leastpartially convergently with respect to one another, be directed withrespect to one another, overlap one another, and/or be coaxially alignedwith one another. As another example, the fields of view 154 can eachhave a central axis extending outwardly from the respective downstreamdetector 70, and these axes can extend convergently, or morespecifically about coaxially, toward one another.

The field of view 154 of the left downstream detector 70 can beconfigured so that at least a portion of the front wall of thedownstream duct 30, at least a portion of the rear wall of thedownstream duct, at least a portion of the right wall of the downstreamduct, and/or at least a portion of one or more other suitable featuresare within this field of view. Similarly, the field of view 154 of theright downstream detector 70 can be configured so that at least aportion of the front wall of the downstream duct 30, at least a portionof the rear wall of the downstream duct, at least a portion of the leftwall of the downstream duct, and/or at least a portion of one or moreother suitable features are within this field of view.

In the example of FIG. 2, the downstream forced-air flow path portion ofthe harvester's material flow path extends from the outlet of thecleaner 28, through the downstream duct 30, and into an opening to theinterior of the accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of theaccumulator 32). As a result, the raw cotton from the cleaner 28 iscarried through the downstream duct 30 into the interior of theaccumulator chamber. The downstream forced-air flow path typicallydissipates in the interior of the accumulator chamber due, for example,to the relatively large size of the accumulator chamber and a rearportion of the top of the accumulator chamber being defined by grating160 (FIGS. 13 and 17). The interior of the accumulator chamber is opento the ambient environment by way of the grating 160. Otherwise, thewalls of the accumulator chamber can fully enclose the interior space ofthe accumulator chamber.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 10-13, and 18, the accumulator 32 can include atleast one hydraulic motor-driven mixing shaft 162, and one or morehydraulic motor-driven feeder shafts 164 positioned in the interior ofthe accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32). Themixing shaft 162 can be positioned in a central area within the interiorspace of the accumulator chamber and be configured to mix the raw cottonin the upper area of the accumulator chamber. The mixing shaft 162 istypically operated continuously while the harvester 10 is harvestingcotton, for dispersing the raw cotton throughout at least the upperportion of the interior of the accumulator chamber.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 10, the feeder shafts 164 can be proximate oradjacent a lower, rear discharge opening 166 of the accumulator chamber.The feeder shafts 164 are typically part of a feeder system configuredfor periodically conveying and/or feeding accumulated raw cottonoutwardly through the accumulator discharge opening 166. The feedershafts 164 are typically not operated during a majority of the timewhile the harvester 10 is harvesting cotton. Similarly, the dischargeopening 166 is typically closed during a majority of the time while theharvester 10 is harvesting cotton. Referring to FIG. 2, one or moredoors 168 can be moved by one or more hydraulic actuators 170 foropening and closing the accumulator discharge opening 166.

While the harvester 10 is harvesting cotton, during an accumulating modeof operation of the accumulator 32, the discharge opening 166 can beclosed (and the feeder shafts 164 can be idle/not operating/notrotating) so that the raw cotton accumulates in the lower interior spaceof the accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32).Referring to FIG. 10, under at least the force of gravity, a mass of theraw cotton typically collects in a collection or convergence area 172,which is a lower portion of the interior space within the accumulatorchamber. In the first embodiment, the series of feeder shafts 164 extendpartially around the convergence area 172, and the convergence area canbe described as being a lower half of the interior space of theaccumulator chamber, being a lower third of the interior space of theaccumulator chamber, extending downwardly from the top of the highestfeeder shaft 164, extending downwardly from the tops of the highestfeeder shafts, extending downwardly from the top of the second to thehighest feeder shaft, extending downwardly from the tops of the secondto the highest feeder shafts, and/or the like.

Referring to FIG. 10, during a feeding mode of operation of theaccumulator 32, typically both the discharge opening 166 is open and thefeeder shafts 164 are operated, so that the accumulated raw cotton isfed outwardly from the convergence area 172 along a feed path 174. Thefirst embodiment feed path 174 extends through the accumulator dischargeopening 166. At least a portion of the feed path 174 is schematicallydepicted by arrows designated by numeral 174 in FIG. 10. The feed path174 is a portion of the harvester's material flow path.

The feeding mode can be automatically triggered by one more conventionallevel sensors for detecting a predetermined level (e.g., height) ofaccumulated raw cotton in the interior of the accumulator chamber (e.g.,the chamber of the accumulator 32) and/or manually triggered, such as byway of one or more suitable user interfaces, or the like. U.S. Pat. Pub.2014/0157745 is believed to disclose examples of suitable accumulators32 and/or other associated features.

Further regarding the accumulating mode of operation of the accumulator32, in some situations one or more sparks and/or embers may be presentwith the raw cotton within the interior space of the accumulator chamberand cause the raw cotton to ignite (e.g., start to burn and produceflames). It is believed that any sparks and/or embers within theinterior of the accumulator chamber may reach this destination by way ofthe portion of the harvester's material flow path that enters the inletof the accumulator chamber from the downstream duct 30. Alternativelyand perhaps less likely, other scenarios may result in ignition withinthe accumulator chamber. For example, it is believed that sparks and/orembers may sometimes be produced in association with the rotatingmachinery within the accumulator chamber.

Regarding features of the detection system associated with theaccumulator 32, FIGS. 13 and 17 depict the upper-accumulator detectors72. The upper-accumulator detectors 72 can be configured in a mannerthat seeks to detect at least fire-related conditions in the interiorspace of the accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator32). The upper-accumulator detectors 72 can each be infrared detectors,for example mid-wave infrared detectors, or other suitable detectors maybe used.

The upper-accumulator detectors 72 can be mounted to a central area ofthe top wall of the accumulator chamber so that they are spaced apartfrom one another. For each of the upper-accumulator detectors 72, itshousing 78 can be engaged against the outer surface of the respectivepanel of the top wall of the accumulator chamber, and its lens assembly76 can be positioned in a hole extending through the respective wallpanel. The upper-accumulator detectors 72 can be mounted to theaccumulator chamber using suitable fasteners, frames, connectors, welds,and/or the like.

As schematically depicted in FIG. 25, the upper-accumulator detectors 72can be right and left upper-accumulator detectors configured so thattheir respective fields of view 176 are within the interior space of theaccumulator chamber. In FIG. 25, portions of the fields of view 176 areschematically depicted by dashed lines (e.g., in an approximatedmanner). In the example of FIG. 25, the right and left fields of view176 partially overlap one another. The first embodimentupper-accumulator detectors 72 are configured so that numerous featureswithin the accumulator chamber are within the fields of view 176,including, for example, at least portions of the front, rear, right,and/or left walls of the accumulator chamber; at least portions of themixing shaft 162; at least portions of the feeder shafts 164; and/or atleast portions of one or more ledges 214 that may be present in, orotherwise associated with, one or more of the accumulator front and rearwalls. As another example, the fields of view 176 can each have acentral axis extending outwardly from the respective upper-accumulatordetectors 72, and these axes can extend about parallel with respect toone another.

As depicted in FIG. 11, the lower-accumulator detectors 74 can be rightand left detectors respectively mounted to right and left side walls ofthe accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32). Thelower-accumulator detectors 74 can be configured in a manner that seeksto detect at least fire-related conditions (e.g., embedded fire) in theinterior space of the accumulator chamber. The lower-accumulatordetectors 74 can each be infrared detectors, for example short-waveinfrared detectors, configured in a manner that seeks to detect at leastembedded fire in the accumulator chamber, for example fire embedded inthe mass of raw cotton collected in the collection or convergence area172 (FIG. 10), or other suitable detectors may be used.

The lower-accumulator detectors 74 can be respectively mounted to lowercentral portions of the right and left side walls of the accumulatorchamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32). For each of thelower-accumulator detectors 74, its housing 78 can be engaged againstthe outer surface of a panel of the respective side wall of theaccumulator chamber, and its lens assembly 76 can be positioned in ahole extending through the respective side wall panel of the accumulatorchamber. The lower-accumulator detectors 74 can be mounted to theaccumulator chamber using suitable fasteners, frames, connectors, welds,and/or the like.

As schematically depicted in FIG. 26, the lower-accumulator detectors 74can be configured so that their respective fields of view 178 are withinthe interior space of the accumulator chamber. In FIG. 26, the feedershafts 164 are omitted in order to more clearly depict the fields ofview 178, which are schematically depicted by dashed lines (e.g., in anapproximated manner). The fields of view 178 can extend at leastpartially convergently with respect to one another, be directed towardone another, overlap one another, and/or be coaxially aligned with oneanother. As another example, the fields of view 178 can each have acentral axis extending outwardly from the respective lower-accumulatordetectors 74, and these axes can extend convergently, or morespecifically about coaxially, toward one another. Referring also to FIG.10, the fields of view 178 can extend crosswise into the convergencearea 172 in the respective portion of the harvester's material flowpath.

Regarding features of the first embodiment accumulator-suppressionsubsystem, and as best understood with reference to FIG. 27, each of theupper-central accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 can be a plug nozzle.The example of the representative upper-central accumulator-suppressionnozzle depicted in FIG. 27 has a tubular collar or outer nozzle body 180and an inner plug body 181 movably mounted to the nozzle body. A lowerend or lower portion of the nozzle body 180 can include, or haveextending outwardly therefrom, an annular flange 182. The flange 182 canbe about flush with the inner surface of the top wall panel of theaccumulator chamber (e.g., the chamber of the accumulator 32). The upperend portion of the outer body 180 can be in the form of anexternally-threaded nipple 184 and/or any other suitable fasteningfeature.

In the first embodiment, nozzle body 180 and the plug body 180, 181 areconnected, or more generally mounted together, in a manner that allowsfor automatic relative movement therebetween, as will be discussed ingreater detail below. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 27 theplug body 181 is movably mounted in the nozzle body 180 by way of aguide or guide plate 190, coil spring 192, washer 194, and threaded nut196 or other suitable fastener(s). Alternatively, nozzle and plug bodies180, 181 can be mounted together in any other suitable manner, forexample in a manner that allows for the automatic relative movementbetween the nozzle and plug bodies, as will be discussed in greaterdetail below.

FIG. 27 is an isolated, front elevational view of a representative oneof the central-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 in its closedconfiguration, wherein the front half of each of the nozzle body 180(including flange 182 and nipple 184) and the guide 190 are cut away toexpose features that would otherwise be hidden from view. In the exampleof FIG. 27, the plug body 181 includes a shaft 198 extending from a head200. The guide or guide plate 190 can be fixedly mounted within theinternal passageway extending through the nozzle body 180 for guidingand supporting the shaft 198. In the first embodiment, the shaft 198extends through a hole of two or more holes extending through the guideplate 190, and the shaft further extends through the coil spring 192 andwasher 194. The nut 196 or other suitable fastener(s) can be connectedto an end portion of the shaft 198, or in any other suitableconfiguration, so that the plug body 181 is pulled or biased inwardlyrelative to the outer body 180. The inward biasing typically causessealing engagement (e.g., firm, face-to-face contact) between mutuallyconfigured, frustoconical seats 202, 204 respectively of the nozzle body180 and head 200, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 28 is a front elevational view of a representative one of thecentral-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 in its openconfiguration and extending through a hole 206 in the respective panelof the top wall of the accumulator chamber. In the example of FIG. 28, aportion of a pipe fitting 208 of a respective leg of the upper pipingsystem 104 is exploded away from the threaded nipple 184. The flange 182and pipe fitting 208 can be wider than the hole 206 in the top wall ofthe accumulator chamber, so that when an internal screw thread of thepipe fitting 208 is securely fully engaged to the threaded nipple 184,the central-upper accumulator-suppression nozzle 50 is securely mountedto the top wall of the accumulator chamber. The lower ends of the firstembodiment central-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 can beflush, or about flush, with the inner side of the top wall panel of theaccumulator chamber.

In the example of FIG. 17, the central-upper accumulator-suppressionnozzles 50 (e.g., hidden from view in FIG. 17, but shown mounted in FIG.13) are mounted to a central area of the top wall of the accumulatorchamber at least partially by way of the respective pipe fitting 208 ofthe respective leg of the upper piping system 104 being connected (e.g.,by screw thread) to the nipples 184. The connection between thecentral-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 and the upper pipingsystem 104 can be provided in any other suitable manner including one ormore of pipes, pipe fittings, connectors, welds, and/or the like.

Referring mainly to FIG. 27, the central-upper accumulator-suppressionnozzles 50, piping system 104, and accumulator-suppression pump 42 ofthe first embodiment are cooperatively configured so that, when theaccumulator-suppression pump is operated to provide fire suppressant tothe central-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles, the pressurized firesuppressant pushes on the upwardly-facing surface of the head 200 withinthe interior space of the nozzle body 180 with sufficient force to movethe plug body 181 outwardly relative to the nozzle body. The plug body181 moves a small distance outwardly relative to the nozzle body 180 sothat a frustoconical gap becomes defined between the seats 202, 204, andthe fire suppressant flows through the gap. This movement of the plugbody 181 compresses the spring 192. When the accumulator-suppressionpump 42 ceases to operate, the spring 192 expands to close thecentral-upper accumulator-suppression nozzle 50.

Referring to FIGS. 28-31, in the first embodiment, each of theupper-central accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 (e.g., plug nozzles) isconfigured, when opened, to discharge the fire suppressant from therespective leg of the upper piping system 104 in the form of adownwardly directed, relatively wide angle, hollow-cone spray pattern.Each hollow-cone spray pattern from the central-upperaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50 typically includes a conicaloutermost portion 210 of the spray pattern and a conical innermostportion 212 of the spray pattern. In FIGS. 28-31, portions of theconical outermost and innermost spray pattern portions 210, 212 areschematically depicted by dashed lines (e.g., in an approximatedmanner). As schematically depicted in FIG. 29 by dashed lines (e.g., inan approximated manner), the spray pattern portions 210, 212 can have acentral discharge axis 213 extending outwardly from the respectivecentral-upper accumulator-suppression nozzle 50. The discharge axes 213of the two central-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles can extenddownwardly and about parallel to one another.

Referring to FIGS. 28-31, at least the central-upperaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50, piping system 104, andaccumulator-suppression pump 42 can be configured so that thehollow-cone spray patterns 210, 212 from the central-upperaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50 at least partially cover numerousfeatures within the accumulator chamber, including, for example, atleast portions of the front and rear walls of the accumulator chamber,at least portions of the mixing shaft 162, at least portions of thefeeder shafts 164, and/or at least portions of one or more ledges 214that may be present in, or otherwise associated with, one or more of theaccumulator front and rear walls. In one aspect, the hollow-cone spraypatterns 210, 212 provide the primary coverage for at least the upperinterior space of the accumulator chamber. Conversely and in accordancewith the first embodiment, at least the central-upperaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50, piping system 104, andaccumulator-suppression pump 42 can be configured so that thehollow-cone spray patterns 210, 212 from the central-upperaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50 do not cover end portions of theledges 214, and/or one or more of the upright corners or corner areas216 (FIG. 31) respectively defined between the front, right, left andrear walls of the accumulator chamber, and/or one or more of the centralareas encompassed by the innermost spray pattern portions 212.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16 and in accordance with the first embodiment,the upper-right nozzle assembly 52 depicted in FIGS. 13-16 isrepresentative (e.g., in both configuration and function) of theupper-left nozzle assembly 52 (e.g., FIG. 11), except that theirinstalled orientations are reversed as compared to one another. Theupper-right nozzle assembly 52 includes a body 220 that can be generallyin the form of an irregular block of metal, metallic alloy, and/or anyother suitable materials. In the first embodiment, the body 220 includesa right surface 222, an upper left surface 224 extending obliquelydownwardly from an upper edge of the right surface 222, an upper-frontsurface 226 extending perpendicularly from a front edge of the rightsurface 222 to a front edge of the upper-left surface, an upper-rearsurface 228 extending perpendicularly from a rear edge of the rightsurface 222 to a rear edge of the upper-left surface 224, a lowersurface 230 extending perpendicularly from a lower edge of the rightsurface 222, a lower-middle or lower-left surface 232 extendingobliquely upwardly from a left edge of the lower surface 230 to a loweredge of the upper left surface 224, a lower-front surface 234 extendingobliquely upwardly from a front edge of the lower surface 230 torespective edges of other of the surfaces of the body 220, and a lowerrear surface 236 extending obliquely upwardly from a rear edge of thelower surface 230 to respective edges of other of the surfaces of thebody 220. Each of the surfaces 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236can be about planar.

In the first embodiment, the right surface 222 of the body 220 of theupper-right nozzle assembly 52 is connected to, and in opposingface-to-face relation or contact with, the interior surface of the rightwall, or more specifically the interior surface of the right wall panel,of the accumulator chamber. In the first embodiment, the upper edge ofthe body upper-left surface 224 is positioned below, and spaced apartfrom, the upper wall of the accumulator chamber. As an example of aportion of a suitable connection between the upper-right nozzle assembly52 and the right wall of the accumulator chamber, dashed lines in FIG.16 schematically depict fastener parts comprising internally threadedbores 240 that extend through the body right surface 222 into theinterior of the body 220. The bores 240 can respectively receiveexternally threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts) that extend throughrespective holes in the right wall of the accumulator chamber.Alternatively or additionally, connection between theaccumulator-suppression nozzles 54, 56 or nozzle assemblies 52 and theaccumulator chamber can be provided by way of suitable fasteners,frames, connectors, welds, and/or the like.

In the first embodiment, the body upper-left surface 224 is inclineddownwardly (e.g., relative to the horizontal direction) toward a centralarea of the interior of the accumulator chamber at a sufficient angle ina manner that seeks to cause raw cotton, and any other associatedmaterial, that comes into contact with the upper-left surface 224 toslide downwardly and fall off of the upper-left surface 224. Similarly,the body lower-left, lower-front, and lower-rear surfaces 232, 234, 236can be inclined (e.g., relative to the vertical direction), as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

The upper-right nozzle assembly 52 of the first embodiment is furtherdescribed in the following. As schematically depicted by dashed lines inFIG. 15, the body 220 includes an internal liquid distribution networkincluding an upstream bore or passageway 242 connected to downstreambores or passageways 244. The upstream passageway 242 extends throughthe body right surface 222 into the interior of the body 220. The left,front and rear downstream passageways 244 respectively extend throughthe body lower-left, lower-front, and lower-rear surfaces 232, 234, 236to an inner end portion of the upstream passageway 242.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the upper-right nozzle assembly 52 can bemounted to the right wall of the accumulator chamber. This mountedconfiguration can be at least partially provided by way of at least onepipe fitting 246 of the respective leg of the upper piping system 104being connected (e.g., by screw thread) into the outer end of the bodyupstream passageway 242.

Referring to FIG. 15, the middle or left spray nozzle 54 can beconnected to, and in fluid communication with, the left downstreampassageway 244 of the body 220 by way of, for example, an externallythreaded nipple (not shown) of the left spray nozzle 54 being connected(e.g., by screw thread) into the outer end of the left downstreampassageway 244. Similarly, the front and rear spray nozzles 56 can berespectively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the forwardand rearward downstream passageways 244 of the body 220 by way of, forexample, externally threaded nipples (not shown) of the front and rearspray nozzles 56 being respectively connected (e.g., by screw thread)into the outer ends of the forward and rearward downstream passageways244. Additionally or alternatively, the connections between the spraynozzles 52,54 and the upper piping system 104 can be provided in anyother suitable manner including more of pipes, pipe fittings,connectors, welds, and/or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 32-34, in the first embodiment, the middle nozzles 54of the upper nozzle assemblies 52 are configured to discharge the firesuppressant, which is supplied thereto under pressure from therespective leg of the upper piping system 104, in the form of arelatively large angle, solid-cone spray patterns 250. In FIGS. 32-34,portions of the solid-cone spray patterns 250 are schematically depictedby dashed lines (e.g., in an approximated manner). In the firstembodiment, the middle nozzles 54 are mounted to the body 220 at theinclined lower-middle surfaces 232 (FIGS. 14-16) such that the centralaxes 251 (FIG. 33) of the solid-cone spray patterns 250 are downwardlyinclined, and extend convergently with respect to one another.

At least the middle nozzles 54, bodies 220, piping system 104, andaccumulator-suppression pump 42 can be cooperatively configured so thatthe solid-cone spray patterns 250 at least partially cover featureswithin the accumulator chamber, including, for example, at leastportions of the mixing shaft 162, and/or at least portions of the feedershafts 164. The solid-cone spray patterns 250 can provide at least somesecondary coverage for the interior space of the accumulator chamber,for example by covering at least some of the central areas that areencompassed by, but not covered by, the innermost spray pattern portions212 (e.g., see FIG. 31). In the example of FIGS. 33 and 34, therespective components are configured so that the solid-cone spraypatterns 250 extend at least partially convergently with respect to oneanother.

Referring to FIGS. 35-37, in the first embodiment, the front and rearnozzles 56 of the upper nozzle assemblies 52 are configured to dischargethe fire suppressant, which is supplied thereto under pressure from therespective legs of the upper piping system 104, in the form of arelatively narrow fan spray patterns 252. In FIGS. 35-37, portions ofthe fan spray patterns 252 are schematically depicted by dashed lines(e.g., in an approximated manner). In the first embodiment, the frontand rear nozzles are respectively mounted to the body 220 at theinclined lower-front and lower-rear surface 234, 236 (FIGS. 14-16) suchthat the central axes 253 (FIG. 35) of the fan spray patterns 252 aredownwardly inclined. In the example of FIGS. 14 and 16, the dischargeends of the front and rear nozzles 56 include grooves 245 configured toat least partially define the shape and orientation of the spraypatterns 252, wherein the lengths of the grooves 245 extend upright, ormore specifically vertically.

At least the front and rear nozzles 56, bodies 220, piping system 104,and accumulator-suppression pump 42 can be cooperatively configured sothat the portions of the fan spray patterns 252 can at least partiallycover predetermined features within the accumulator chamber. Thesepredetermined features can include, for example, at least portions ofthe front and rear walls of the accumulator chamber, and/or at leastportions of one or more ledges 214 that may be present in, or otherwiseassociated with, one or more of the accumulator front and rear walls. Asa further example, the fan spray patterns 252 can provide at least somesecondary coverage for the interior space of the accumulator chamber,for example by covering one or more of the end portions of the ledges214, and/or one or more of the upright corners or corner areas 216 (FIG.37) respectively defined between the front, right, left and rear wallsof the accumulator chamber.

In the example of FIGS. 33 and 34, the upper nozzle assemblies 52 aremounted distantly from one another, or more specifically opposite fromone another. In the example of FIGS. 35 and 37, the respectivecomponents are configured so that the fan spray patterns 252 (e.g., axes253 schematically depicted in FIG. 35) originating from the same uppernozzle assembly 52 extend divergently with respect to one another. Incontrast, the fan spray patterns 252 (e.g., their axes 253) originatingfrom opposite upper nozzle assembly 52 can extend at least partiallyconvergently with respect to one another.

Referring to FIG. 19 and in accordance with the first embodiment, thelower-right nozzle assembly 58 depicted in FIG. 19 is representative(e.g., in both configuration and function) of the lower-left nozzleassembly 58 (e.g., FIG. 11), except that their installed orientationsare reversed as compared to one another. The lower-right nozzle assembly58 includes a body 260 that can be generally in the form of a block ofmetal, metallic alloy, and/or any other suitable materials.

FIG. 38 is an isolated left elevation view of the body 260 of thelower-right nozzle assembly 58 of the first embodiment. In the exampleof FIGS. 19 and 38, the body 260 of the lower-right nozzle assembly 58of the first embodiment includes a right surface 262, an outer leftsurface 264, a recessed left surface 266 (FIG. 38), and one or moresurfaces, for example an annular surface 268, connecting an innerperiphery of the outer left surface 264 to an outer periphery of therecessed left surface 266. At least the outer left surface 264 can beplanar. In the first embodiment, the recessed left surface 266 andannular surface 268 (or one or more other suitable surfaces) define ahole or recess 270 configured to at least partially contain the loweraccumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62.

In the first embodiment, the left outer surface 264 of the body 260 ofthe lower-right nozzle assembly 58 is connected to, and in opposingface-to-face contact with, the outer surface of the right wall of theaccumulator chamber. The lower edge of the left outer surface 264 can bepositioned above the lower wall of the accumulator chamber. As anexample of a portion of a suitable connection between the lower-rightnozzle assembly 58 and the accumulator chamber, FIGS. 19 and 38schematically depict fastener parts comprising internally threaded bores272 that extend through the left outer surface 264 into the interior ofthe body 260. The bores 272 can respectively receive externally threadedfasteners (e.g., bolts) extending through respective holes in the rightwall of the accumulator chamber. Alternatively or additionally,connection between the lower accumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62 ornozzle assemblies 58 and the accumulator chamber can be provided by wayof suitable fasteners, frames, connectors, welds, and/or the like.

In the first embodiment, when the body 260 of the lower-right nozzleassembly 58 is mounted to the right wall, or more specifically the rightwall panel, of the accumulator chamber, the body recess 270 is open tothe interior space of the accumulator chamber by way of at least onehole 274 (FIG. 18) extending through the right wall of the accumulatorchamber. In the example of FIG. 18, the hole 274 (FIG. 18) is positionedbetween the accumulator discharge opening 166 and another hole (notshown) in the left right panel of the accumulator 32. This other hole(not shown) in the right wall panel of the accumulator 32 can be inreceipt of a reduced diameter portion of the right end section of thelowest feeder shaft 164. Similarly for the first embodiment, when thebody 260 of the lower-left nozzle assembly 58 is mounted to the outersurface of the left wall, or more specifically the left wall panel, ofthe accumulator chamber, the body recess 270 of the lower-left nozzleassembly is open to the interior space of the accumulator chamber by wayof at least one hole (e.g., similar to hole 274 in FIG. 18) extendingthrough the left wall panel of the accumulator chamber.

The lower-right nozzle assembly 58 of the first embodiment is furtherdescribed in the following. As schematically depicted by dashed lines inFIG. 19, the body 260 includes an internal liquid distribution networkincluding an upstream bore or passageway 276 connected to downstreambores or passageways 278. The upstream passageway 276 extends throughthe body right surface 262 into the interior of the body 260. Thedownstream passageways 278 extend through the recessed left surface 266to an inner end portion of the upstream passageway 276.

Referring also to FIG. 3, liquid fire suppressant can be provided to theinternal liquid distribution network of the body 260 by way of at leastone pipe fitting 280 of the respective leg of the lower piping system112 being connected (e.g., by screw thread) into the outer end of thebody upstream passageway 276. In FIG. 3, a portion of the subject leg ofthe lower piping system 112 that includes the pipe fitting 280 is hiddenfrom view behind a conventional panel of the harvester 10. Accordingly,the hidden portion of the leg of the lower piping system 112 and thepipe fitting 280 are schematically depicted by dashed lines in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 19, the lower accumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62can be respectively connected to, and in fluid communication with, theupper and lower downstream passageways 278 of the body 260 by way of,for example, externally threaded nipples (not shown) of the loweraccumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62 being respectively connected(e.g., by screw thread) into the outer ends of the upper and lowerdownstream passageways 278. As a result, the loweraccumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62 are connected to (e.g., in fluidcommunication with) the lower piping system 112. Additionally oralternatively, the connections between the lower accumulator-suppressionnozzles 60, 62 and the lower piping system 112 can be provided in anyother suitable manner including one or more pipes, pipe fittings,connectors, welds, and/or the like. In the Example of FIG. 11, thedischarge ends of the lower accumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62 aredepicted as protruding into the interior space of the accumulatorchamber. In other examples, the discharge ends of the loweraccumulator-suppression nozzles 60, 62 are at least partially recessed,for example they may be flush or further recessed, with respect to theinner surfaces of the accumulator's right and left side wall panels,respectively.

Referring to FIG. 39, for each of the lower nozzle assemblies 58 of thefirst embodiment, the upper nozzle 60 is configured to discharge thefire suppressant in the form of a relatively narrow fan spray pattern282, and the lower nozzle 62 is configured to discharge the firesuppressant in the form of a very narrow or near-zero angle spraypattern 284 (e.g., a blast spray pattern, or more specifically a tightblast pattern). In FIG. 39, portions of the narrow fan spray pattern 282and blast spray pattern 284 are schematically depicted by dashed lines(e.g., in an approximated manner). The lowest feeder shaft 164 (e.g.,see FIGS. 2, 10 and 18) is omitted from FIG. 39 in an effort to clearlydepict the spray patterns 282, 284. In the example of FIGS. 10 and 19,the discharge ends of the upper nozzles 60 include grooves configured toat least partially define the shape and orientation of the spraypatterns 282, wherein the lengths of the grooves extend crosswise to theupright or vertical direction, or more specifically the lengths of thegrooves extend horizontally.

The first embodiment lower nozzle assemblies 58 are configured so thateach of the narrow fan and blast spray patterns 282, 284 extend into alower portion of the interior space of the accumulator chamber, or morespecifically the portion of the interior space of the accumulatorchamber that is positioned between the lowest feeder shaft 164 (FIGS. 2and 18) and the discharge opening 166 (FIGS. 2 and 18) of theaccumulator chamber. As best understood with reference to the examplesof FIGS. 10 and 39, one or more of, and/or each of, the narrow fan andblast spray patterns 282, 284 extend into a lower portion of theinterior space of the accumulator chamber, or more specificallycrosswise into the feed path 174 portion of the harvester's materialflow path.

In the example of FIG. 39, the lower nozzle assemblies 58 are mounteddistantly from one another, or more specifically opposite from oneanother, so that the right and left narrow fan spray patterns 282 extendat least partially convergently with respect to one another, aredirected toward one another, overlap one another, and/or are coaxiallyaligned with one another. As a more specific example, the fan spraypatterns 282 can each have a central discharge axis extending outwardlyfrom the respective lower spray nozzle 60, and these axes can extendconvergently, or more specifically about coaxially, toward one another.Similarly, the right and left blast spray patterns 284 can extend atleast partially convergently with respect to one another, be directedtoward one another, overlap one another, and/or be coaxially alignedwith one another. As a more specific example, the blast spray patterns284 can each have a central discharge axis extending outwardly from therespective lower spray nozzle 62, and these axes can extendconvergently, or more specifically about coaxially, toward one another.One or more of the narrow fan and blast spray patterns 282, 284 (e.g.,their respective axes) can extend parallel to one another, asschematically depicted, for example, in FIG. 39.

The first embodiment accumulator-suppression subsystem is configured soeach of the central-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 has ahigher flow rate of fire suppressant, and provides broader firesuppressant coverage, than each of the other accumulator-suppressionnozzles 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62; and one or more of the otheraccumulator-suppression nozzles 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 provide firesuppressant coverage that supplements (e.g., covers at least somedifferent areas than) the fire suppressant coverage provided by thecentral-upper accumulator-suppression nozzles 50. In this regard,predetermined pairs of spray pattern central axes extending outwardlyfrom the accumulator-suppression nozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62 can extendrelative to one another in a variety of configurations, includingconvergently (e.g., coaxially), divergently, and/or crosswise (e.g.,perpendicularly). As another example, predetermined pairs of spraypattern central axes extending outwardly from theaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62 can extend along(e.g., parallel to) one another. Similarly, predetermined spray patterncentral axes extending outwardly from the accumulator-suppressionnozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62 can extend relative to respective features ofthe accumulator 32 (e.g., the lengthwise rotational axes of the mixingshaft 162 and feeder shafts 164) in a variety of configurations,including convergently, divergently, and/or crosswise (e.g.,perpendicularly). As another example, predetermined spray patterncentral axes extending outwardly from the accumulator-suppressionnozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62 can extend along (e.g., parallel to)respective features of the accumulator 32 (e.g., the lengthwiserotational axes of the mixing shaft 162 and feeder shafts 164).

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 10, in the first embodiment of the feeding modeof operation of the accumulator 32, the feeder shafts 164 are operatedso that the accumulated raw cotton is fed along the feed path 174outwardly from the convergence area 172, through the accumulatordischarge opening 166, and into an adjacent inlet opening of the modulebuilder 34. A belt conveyor (not shown) or other suitable carryingdevice can extend along the portion of the feed path 174 that includesthe accumulator discharge opening 166 and the inlet opening of themodule builder 34, for carrying the raw cotton into an interior space ofa chamber of the module builder 34. In the first embodiment, the modulebuilder 34 is a baler 34 configured to form the raw cotton intocylindrical bales 336 (FIG. 2). Accordingly, in the first embodiment,the raw cotton travels along the feed path 174 into an interior space ofthe baler chamber (e.g., the chamber of the module builder 34).

Referring to FIG. 1, the first embodiment baler 34 includes a balerforward housing 320 pivotably connected to the chassis of the harvester10, and a baler rearward housing 326 (e.g., discharge gate) pivotablyconnected to the baler forward housing. The baler forward housing 320can be mounted for pivoting vertically about a horizontal pivot axisrelative to the chassis, wherein this pivoting can be part oftransitioning between the above-discussed harvesting and transportconfigurations. The discharge gate or baler rearward housing 326 can bemounted for pivoting vertically about a horizontal pivot axis relativeto the baler forward housing 320. In one mode of operation, the pivotingof the baler rearward housing 326 can be part of transitioning betweenthe harvesting and transport configurations. Configuring into thetransport configuration can include relative pivoting between theforward and rearward baler housing 320, 326 (e.g., similar to opening a“clam shell container”) such that the baler 34 is reconfigured into alowered configuration (not shown). In another mode of operation, thepivoting of the baler rearward housing 326 can at least partiallyfacilitate discharging of a bale 336 (FIG. 2) from the baler 34, as willbe discussed in greater detail below.

The baler forward housing 320 can include spaced apart right and leftside walls between which a forward portion of the interior of the balerchamber is defined. Similarly, the baler rearward housing 326 (e.g.,gate) can include spaced apart right and left side walls between which arearward portion of the interior of the baler chamber is defined. One ormore hydraulic cylinders (not shown) connected to the side walls of thebaler rearward housing 226 can be selectively operable for moving thebaler rearward housing between its pivoted positions, including alowered baling position and an opened discharge position.

The first embodiment baler 34 is of a variable chamber design and, thus,includes a plurality of longitudinally extending side-by-side belts 332supported on a plurality of rollers 334 positioned between the sidewalls of the baler forward and rearward housings 320, 326. One or moreof the rollers can be driven by one or more hydraulic motors, or othersuitable mechanisms, so that the baler belts 332 are driven about acentral area of the interior of the baler chamber.

In the first embodiment, when the accumulator 32 is supplying raw cottonto the operating baler 34, the raw cotton is rolled up in a spiralfashion in a nip formed between oppositely moving adjacent loops of thebaler belts 332 to form the bale 336. The space between adjacent loopsof the baler belts 332 grows as the forming bale 336 grows larger. Theaccumulator 32 can be configured to provide enough raw cotton to thebaler 34 so that each bale 336 has a maximum predetermined diameter, forexample a diameter of about five feet, about seven and a half feet,about eight feet, or any other suitable size. FIG. 2 depicts thepredetermined maximum size of the bale 336 of the first embodiment.

The baler 34 can include a conventional bale wrapping apparatus 240configured to operate in conjunction with the baler belts 332 to wrapthe formed bale 336 in a web of material, for example polymeric film orother suitable material, before the bale is discharged from the baler.After the bale 336 is wrapped, the baler gate or rearward housing 326can be pivoted open so that the wrapped bale is delivered onto theextended unloader 36. Then, the baler gate or rearward housing 226 canbe closed, and the next bale 336 can be formed and wrapped.

The unloader 36 can be pivotably mounted to the frame of the harvester10, and be connected to one or more hydraulic cylinders (not shown)configured for pivoting the unloader between its respective positions.The unloader 36 can be pivoted to a lower position to deposit a bale 336onto the ground behind the harvester 10. One or more of U.S. Pats.6,941,740, 7,631,716, 8,925,287, and 10,034,433; and U.S. Pat. Pub.2018/0242527 are believed to disclose examples of suitable balers 34,wrapping apparatuses 340, unloaders 36, and/or other associatedfeatures.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the first embodiment baler-suppressionsubsystem includes one or more of the lower baler nozzles 64, or one ormore lower nozzle assemblies 350, mounted to the baler forward housing320. In the first embodiment, there are lower-right and lower-left balernozzles 64 respectively mounted to the right and left side walls of thebaler forward housing 320. More specifically, there can be lower-rightand lower-left baler nozzle assemblies 350 respectively mounted to theright and left side walls of the baler forward housing 320.

The lower-right nozzle assembly 350 depicted in FIG. 21 can berepresentative (in both configuration and function) of the lower-leftnozzle assembly 350, except that their installed orientations arereversed as compared to one another. FIG. 21 is an isolated, leftpictorial view of the lower-right nozzle assembly 350 of the firstembodiment. The first embodiment lower-right nozzle assembly 350includes a body 352 that can be generally in the form of a plate ofmetal, metallic alloy, and/or any other suitable materials. The body 352of the lower-right nozzle assembly 58 of the first embodiment includesopposite right and left surfaces 354, 356.

The body 352 of the lower-right nozzle assembly 350 can be connected tothe right wall of the baler forward housing 320 so that at least aportion of the left surface 356 of the body 352 is in opposingface-to-face relation with (and optionally also opposing face-to-facecontact with) the outer surface of the right wall, or more specificallythe right wall panel, of the baler forward housing. The lower edge ofthe left surface 356 of the body 352 can be positioned above a lowerwall of the baler forward housing 320. As an example of a portion of asuitable connection between the lower-right nozzle assembly 350 and thebaler forward housing 320, FIG. 21 depicts that the lower-right nozzleassembly 350 includes fastener parts comprising internally threadedbores, wherein these bores can be defined by the body 352 and/or byfastener nuts 358. The fastener nuts 358 can be fixedly mounted to thebody 352 by way of welds and/or any other suitable connection. Thethreaded bores (e.g., of the mounting nuts 358) can respectively receiveexternally threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts) extending through respectiveholes in the right wall, or more specifically the right wall panel, ofthe baler forward housing 320. Holes in the body 352 can be respectivelyaligned with the threaded bores of the nuts 358. Alternatively oradditionally, connection between the lower nozzle assemblies 350 and thebaler forward housing 320 can be provided by way of suitable fasteners,frames, connectors, welds, and/or the like.

As an example of a portion of a suitable connection between thelower-right baler-suppression nozzle 64 and the respective body 352,FIG. 21 depicts that the lower-right nozzle assembly 350 includesanother fastener part comprising an internally threaded bore, whereinthis bore can be defined by the body 352 and/or by a fastener nut 360.The fastener nut 360 can be fixedly mounted to the body 352 by way ofwelds and/or any other suitable connection. A hole in the body 352 canbe aligned with the threaded bore of the nut 360. The lower-rightbaler-suppression nozzle 64 can be connected to the respective threadedbore of the lower-right nozzle assembly 350 (e.g., the nut 360) by wayof an externally threaded nipple (not shown) of the lower-rightbaler-suppression nozzle 64. The externally threaded nipple of thelower-right baler-suppression nozzle 64 can be connected (e.g., by screwthread) into the respective threaded bore of the lower-right nozzleassembly 350 (e.g., the nut 360), so that the threaded nipple of thelower-right baler-suppression nozzle 64 extends through, and protrudesfrom, the hole in the body 352 that is aligned with the threaded bore ofthe nut 360. Alternatively or additionally, connection between the lowerbaler nozzles 64 and the baler forward housing 320 can be provided byway of suitable fasteners, frames, connectors, welds, and/or the like.

Liquid fire suppressant can be provided to the lower baler-suppressionnozzles 64 by way of pipe fittings of respective legs of the pipingsystem 114 being connected (e.g., by screw thread) to the externallythreaded nipples of the lower-right baler-suppression nozzles 64.Additionally or alternatively, the connections between the lowerbaler-suppression nozzles 64 and the piping system 114 can be providedin any other suitable manner including pipes, pipe fittings, connectors,welds, and/or the like. In the Example of FIG. 20, the discharge ends ofthe lower baler-suppression nozzles 64 are depicted as protruding intothe interior space of the baler chamber (e.g., the chamber of the modulebuilder 34). In other examples, the discharge ends of the lowerbaler-suppression nozzles 64 are at least partially recessed, forexample they may be flush or further recessed, with respect to the innersurfaces of the right and left side wall panels of the baler 34.

Referring to FIG. 20, the lower baler-suppression nozzles 64 of thefirst embodiment are configured to discharge the fire suppressant as fogand/or mist into the interior space of the baler chamber (e.g., thechamber of the module builder 34). The fog and/or mist can be dischargedfrom the lower baler-suppression nozzles 64 in a conical pattern,although the conical shape may exist only in relatively close proximityto the lower baler-suppression nozzles 64 due to the relatively smallparticle size of the fog and/or mist. Portions of the initial conicalfog and/or mist pattern 363 discharged from the lower baler-suppressionnozzles 64 are schematically depicted by stippling in FIG. 20. Asschematically depicted in FIG. 20 by dashed lines (e.g., in anapproximated manner), each fog and/or mist pattern 363 can have acentral discharge axis 366 extending outwardly from the respective lowerbaler-suppression nozzle 64. The discharge axes 366 can extendconvergently, or more specifically about coaxially, toward one another.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the first embodiment baler-suppressionsubsystem includes one or more of the upper baler nozzles 66, or one ormore upper nozzle assemblies 450, mounted to the baler rearward housing420. In the first embodiment, there are upper-right and upper-left balernozzles 66 respectively mounted to the right and left side walls of thebaler rearward housing 420. More specifically, there can be upper-rightand upper-left baler nozzle assemblies 450 respectively mounted to theright and left side walls of the baler rearward housing 420.

The upper-right nozzle assembly 450 depicted in FIG. 23 can berepresentative (in both configuration and function) of the upper-leftnozzle assembly 450, except that their installed orientations arereversed as compared to one another. FIG. 23 is an isolated, leftpictorial view of the upper-right nozzle assembly 450 of the firstembodiment. In the first embodiment, the upper-right nozzle assembly 450is like the lower-right nozzle assembly 350 (FIG. 21), except forvariations noted and variations that will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, reference numerals for mostfeatures of the upper-right nozzle assembly 450 have been incremented byone hundred as compared to the corresponding features of the lower-rightnozzle assembly 350.

The body 452 of the upper-right nozzle assembly 450 can be connected tothe right wall of the baler rearward housing 420 so that at least aportion of the left surface 456 of the body 452 is in opposingface-to-face relation with (and optionally also opposing face-to-facecontact with) the outer surface of the right wall, or more specificallythe right wall panel, of the baler rearward housing, so that the upperedge of the left surface 456 is positioned below an upper wall of thebaler rearward housing. The threaded bores (e.g., of the mounting nuts458) of the upper-right nozzle assembly 450 can respectively receiveexternally threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts) extending through respectiveholes in the right wall, or more specifically the right wall panel, ofthe baler rearward housing 420. Holes in the body 452 can berespectively aligned with the threaded bores of the nuts 458.Alternatively or additionally, connection between the upper nozzleassemblies 450 and the baler rearward housing 420 can be provided by wayof suitable fasteners, frames, connectors, welds, and/or the like.

The upper-right baler-suppression nozzle 66 can be connected to therespective threaded bore of the upper-right nozzle assembly 450 (e.g.,the nut 460) by way of an externally threaded nipple (not shown) of theupper-right baler-suppression nozzle 66. The externally threaded nippleof the upper-right baler-suppression nozzle 66 can be connected (e.g.,by screw thread) into the respective threaded bore of the upper-rightnozzle assembly 450 (e.g., the nut 460), so that the threaded nipple ofthe upper-right baler-suppression nozzle 66 extends through, andprotrudes from, the hole in the body 452 that is aligned with thethreaded bore of the nut 460. Alternatively or additionally, connectionbetween the upper baler nozzles 66 and the baler rearward housing 320can be provided by way of suitable fasteners, frames, connectors, welds,and/or the like.

Liquid fire suppressant can be provided to the upper baler-suppressionnozzles 66 by way of pipe fittings of respective legs of the pipingsystem 114 being connected (e.g., by screw thread) to the externallythreaded nipples of the upper-right baler-suppression nozzles 66.Additionally or alternatively, the connections between the upperbaler-suppression nozzles 66 and the piping system 114 can be providedin any other suitable manner including pipes, pipe fittings, connectors,welds, and/or the like. The discharge ends of the right and left upperbaler-suppression nozzles 66 protrude into the interior space of thebaler chamber (e.g., the chamber of the module builder 34). In otherexamples, the discharge ends of the upper baler-suppression nozzles 66are at least partially recessed, for example they may be flush orfurther recessed, with respect to inner surfaces of the right and leftside wall panels of the baler 34.

The upper baler-suppression nozzles 66 of the first embodiment areconfigured to discharge the fire suppressant as fog and/or mist into theinterior space of the baler chamber (e.g., the chamber of the modulebuilder 34). The fog and/or mist can be discharged from the upperbaler-suppression nozzles 66 in a conical pattern, although the conicalshape may exist only in relatively close proximity to the upperbaler-suppression nozzles 66 due to the relatively small particle sizeof the fog and/or mist. Similarly to the lower baler-suppression nozzles64, the fog and/or mist patterns of the upper baler-suppression nozzles66 can each have a central discharge axis extending outwardly from therespective upper baler-suppression nozzle. The discharge axes of theupper baler-suppression nozzles 66 can extend convergently, or morespecifically about coaxially, toward one another. In the firstembodiment, the baler-suppression subsystem is configured to operate sothat the liquid fire suppressant discharged from the baler-suppressionnozzles 64, 66 consists of, or consists essentially of, fog and/or mist.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a predetermined maximum size of a bale 336created by the first embodiment baler 34. The example of FIG. 2 furtherdepicts that the baler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 are positionedradially outwardly (e.g., relative to the central (e.g., rotational)axis of the bale 336) from the cylindrical periphery of the bale (e.g.,module), so that the fog and/or mist spray patterns (e.g., see patterns363 in FIG. 20) are positioned radially outwardly from the cylindricalperiphery of the bale. This arrangement seeks to allow the fog and/ormist from the baler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 to be distributedthroughout the otherwise unoccupied interior space of the baler chamber,to at least partially envelope the module (e.g., bale 336) in the fogand/or mist of the fire suppressant. More generally, thebaler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 can be positioned outwardly from thebaler chamber's central area in which the bale 336 or other suitablemodule is formed, so that the fog and/or mist spray patterns arepositioned outwardly from the baler chamber's central area in which thebale or other module is formed. Also, the baler-suppression nozzles 64,66 can be positioned in proximity to respective baler belts 332 so thatthe traveling baler belts entrain the fog and/or mist from thebaler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 in a manner that seeks to cause the fogand/or mist to be distributed throughout the otherwise unoccupiedinterior space of the baler chamber. In the example of FIG. 2, thebaler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 are positioned proximate adjacentsections of the baler belts 332 so that the spray patterns of fog and/ormist from the suppression nozzles 64, 66 can extend into gaps definedbetween adjacent sections of the baler belts 332.

The first embodiment baler-suppression subsystem is configured sopredetermined pairs of fog and/or mist spray pattern central axesextending outwardly from the baler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 can extendconvergently (e.g., coaxially) with respect to one another. As anotherexample, predetermined pairs of fog and/or mist spray pattern centralaxes extending outwardly from the baler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 canextend along (e.g., parallel to) one another. As a further example, thefog and/or mist spray pattern central axes extending outwardly from thebaler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 can extend along (e.g., parallel to)respective features of the accumulator 32 (e.g., the lengthwiserotational axes of the rollers 334) and/or crosswise to (e.g.,perpendicularly to) respective features of the accumulator 32 (e.g., thelengths and direction of travel of the belts 332).

Regarding conventional features of the harvester 10, for facilitatingconventional operations of the harvester, the harvester can include aconventional controller or digital computer (not shown) including, forexample, one or more of each of a central processing unit or processor,computer hardware integrated circuits or memory, data storage, and/orequipment interfaces. For example, one or more of the equipmentinterfaces of the conventional controller or computer can be operativelyassociated with sensors, switches, and other features for facilitatingconventional operation of the harvester 10. As another example, one ormore of the equipment interfaces of the conventional controller orcomputer can be operatively associated with one or more user interfacesconfigured to allow a user to enter commands and information into theconventional controller or computer, and configured to allow theconventional controller or computer to output information to the user.For example, the input-type feature(s) of the user interfaces caninclude a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a visualdisplay with touch functionality (e.g., capacitive or other sensors thatare configured to detect physical contact), and/or any other suitabledevices. As additional examples, the output-type feature(s) of the userinterfaces can include a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector),speaker, and/or any other suitable devices. The conventional controllercan be in the form of a distributed computing system; therefore, thefeatures of the conventional controller can be spread between separatecomputers.

The first embodiment harvester 10 can operate in a conventional mannerto harvest cotton plant material and any associated debris, clean rawcotton therefrom, and discharge the raw cotton in bales 336. During thisprocess, flammable debris can accumulate outside of the harvester'smaterial flow path. For example, debris can pass outwardly through thegrating 138, 160 (FIGS. 2, 4, 13, and 17) and accumulate on exposedupper surfaces of the harvester 10 (e.g., on the deck).

As an example, occasionally the rotating machinery in the harvestingapparatus 20 and/or field cleaner 28 may engage any rocks, scraps ofmetal, and/or any other types of debris that is contained in theharvester's material flow path. Any such engagement may create sparkssuch that sparks or embers may be entrained in the harvester's materialflow path. The sparks and embers may interact with harvested plantmaterial in the harvester's material flow path and cause a fire therein.As a more specific example, the sparks and embers may interact withharvested plant material in the accumulator chamber (e.g., the chamberof the accumulator 32), and cause a fire therein. The fire may spread toother areas of the harvester 10, for example to the raw cotton in thebaler chamber (e.g., the chamber of the module builder 34). As anexample of an external fire, flammable debris accumulated on exposedupper surfaces of the harvester 10 (e.g., the deck 14), or around theharvester, may catch on fire. An external fire may result from sparks orembers passing outwardly through the grating 138, 160 (FIGS. 2, 4, 13,and 17) and falling upon any debris accumulated on exposed uppersurfaces of the harvester 10 (e.g., the deck 14). As additionalexamples, it is believed that sparks, embers, and/or fires in harvestersmay result from a variety of other causes including equipmentmalfunction, lightening strikes, static electricity, or the like.

The first embodiment accumulator-suppression subsystem is configured toat least partially control and/or suppress sparks, embers, and/or flamesin the accumulator chamber by discharging fire suppressant from theaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62 in response tooperation of the accumulator-suppression pump 42. Similarly, the firstembodiment baler-suppression subsystem is configured to at leastpartially control and/or suppress sparks, embers, and/or flames in thebaler chamber by discharging fire suppressant from the baler-suppressionnozzles 64, 66 in response to operation of the baler-suppression pump44. Somewhat similarly, the first embodiment spot-suppression subsystemis configured so that fire suppressant under pressure is supplied to thehose-end nozzle 49 (FIG. 7) in response to operation of thespot-suppression pump 46. When the spot-suppression pump 46 isoperating, the hose-end nozzle 49 can be manually activated by squeezingits lever or trigger to spray fire suppressant in, on, and/or around theharvester 10.

In the first embodiment, the suppression pumps 42, 44, 46 can beactivated, individually or collectively, by manually depressing and/orselecting one or more respective buttons, icons, and/or other suitablefeatures of the user interfaces 92 (FIG. 1). Similarly, the suppressionpumps 42, 44, 46 can be deactivated, individually or collectively, bymanually depressing and/or selecting one or more respective buttons,icons, and/or other suitable features of the user interfaces 92 (FIG.1).

As an example of automatic operation, the controller 86 can beconfigured to analyze one or more signals (e.g., signals comprising dataindicative of any detection of at least one predetermined fire-relatedcondition) from one or more of the detectors 68, 70, 72, 74, andinitiate operation of one or more of the suppression pumps 42, 44, 46 inresponse to any detected fire-related condition(s) exceedingthreshold(s).

An example of a method of operating the accumulator and balersuppression pumps 42, 44 is described in the following, in accordancewith the first embodiment. The suppression-system controller 86 (FIG. 5)can be configured to include an “interlock” or other suitable feature sothat the operation of both the accumulator-suppression pump 42 andbaler-suppression pump 44 are initiated at about the same time, or morespecifically simultaneously. The suppression-system controller 86 can befurther configured so that, after initiating operation of theaccumulator-suppression and baler suppression pumps 42, 44, operation ofthe accumulator-suppression pump 42 is automatically ceased, at firstpredetermined time, prior to automatic cessation of thebaler-suppression pump 44. Automatic cessation of the baler-suppressionpump 44 can occur at a second predetermined time that is after the firstpredetermined time.

Optionally, operations of the suppression-system controller 86 andharvester's conventional controller (not shown) can be coordinated inresponse to manually initiated instructions and/or automatic operationsof the suppression-system controller 86. In one example of thesecoordinated operations, both of the above-discussed feeding mode ofoperation of the accumulator 32 and the baling mode of operation of thebaler can be initiated at about the same time, or more specificallysimultaneously, with the initiation of operation of theaccumulator-suppression and baler suppression pumps 42, 44. Thereafter,cessation of the feeding mode of operation of the accumulator 32 andcessation of the operation of the accumulator-suppression pump 42 canoccur at about the same time, or more specifically simultaneously.Thereafter, cessation of the baling mode of operation of the baler 34can occur before cessation of the operation of the baler-suppressionpump 44. For example, the baler-suppression subsystem of the firstembodiment is configured in a manner that seeks to sufficiently at leastpartially control and/or suppress any sparks, embers, and/or fire in thebaler chamber for a sufficient period of time so that, for example whilethe bale 336 remains in the baler chamber, the harvester 10 can bedriven across land to a relatively fire-resistant location. Thefire-resistant location may be a natural, cleared, and/or otherwiseconfigured area having a relatively reduced amount of combustiblematerial. The fire-resistant location may be adjacent to the field beingharvested and/or in any other suitable location. When the harvester 10reaches the fire-resistant location, the baler gate or rearward housing226 can be actuated to deliver the bale 336 onto the extended unloader36, and the unloader can deposit the bale in the relativelyfire-resistant location. Additionally or alternatively, the bale 336 canbe carried by the unloader 36 while the vehicle 10 is traveling, andthereafter the bale can be unloaded from the unloader.

One or more of the above-discussed features may be configureddifferently or be omitted from the harvester 10. Optionally, one or moreof the features of the detection system of this disclosure (e.g., one ormore of the detectors 68, 70, 72, 74 and associated features) may beomitted from the harvester 10. On the other hand, one or more of thedetectors 68, 70, 72, 74 and associated features can be included in theharvester 10. Signals from one or more of the detectors 68, 70, 72, 74can be processed (e.g., by a computer processor of the system controller86) to provide associated information that can be displayed to a user onthe user interfaces 92 (FIG. 1) so that the user can use his or herjudgement to initiate operation of one or more features of thesuppression system (e.g., the suppression pumps 42, 44, 46). As anotherexample, the signals from one or more of the detectors 68, 70, 72, 74may be processed (e.g., by the computer processor of the systemcontroller 86) and used as part of the process of automaticallyinitiating operation of one or more features of the suppression system.For example, the first embodiment detection system (e.g., the detectors68, 70, 72, 74) can be configured to quickly detect sparks, embers,and/or flames at predetermine locations in the harvester's material flowpath, and operation of respective components of the first embodimentsuppression system (e.g., the suppression pumps 42, 44, 46) can bequickly initiated, either manually or automatically, in a manner thatseeks to quickly at least partially control and/or suppress the sparks,embers, and/or flames. The suppression system can be configured in amanner that seeks to quickly at least partially control and/or suppressthe sparks, embers, and/or flames in a manner that seeks to allow forsubstantially continuous harvesting operations of the harvester 10.

The first embodiment accumulator-suppression subsystem can be configuredso that, in a single cycle of this system, the accumulator-suppressionpump 42 can supply, by way of the accumulator-suppression nozzles 50,54, 56, 60, 62, forty to fifty gallons of fire suppressant into theinterior space of the chamber of the accumulator 32 in about ninetyseconds. The first embodiment baler-suppression subsystem can beconfigured so that, in a single cycle of this system, thebaler-suppression pump 44 can supply, by way of the baler-suppressionnozzles 64, 66, fog and/or mist into the interior space of the chamberof the module builder 34 for about fifteen to twenty minutes. In oneexample, each of the tanks 40 (FIG. 4) can contain fifty gallons of thefire suppressant, and the fire suppressant can also be supplied from aconventional sixty eight gallon tank conventionally present on theharvester 10, so that the suppression system can operate through atleast two complete suppression cycles before replenishing thesuppression system with fire suppressant.

An aspect of this disclosure is the provision of system(s) that seek topromote the safety of a user operating the harvester 10, seek torestrict fire-related damage to the harvester (e.g., seeks to restrictany damage to merely cosmetic damage), and seek to minimize downtimeassociated with fire-related events. Another aspect of this disclosureis the provision of system(s) that seek to provide early, high-speed,reliable detection of fires and fire risks in harvesters. Another aspectof this disclosure is the provision of system(s) that seek to provideeffective suppression of fires and fire risks in key high risk areas ofharvesters. A further aspect of this disclosure is the provision of asuppression system that seeks to be capable of being quickly preparedfor reuse (e.g., by resupplying the tanks 40 (FIG. 4) with firesuppressant), for example since the detection system can usenon-destructive detection methods (e.g., optical detection methods).

The first embodiment accumulator-suppression pump 42 is a relativelyhigh-flow, medium-pressure pump. As a more specific example, a suitableaccumulator-suppression pump 42 can be a twelve volt, electric-motoroperated centrifugal pump configured to provide a flow rate of about26.5 gallons per minute (“gpm”) at a pressure of about 30 pounds persquare inch (“psi”). More generally, it is believed that a suitableaccumulator-suppression pump 42 can be configured to provide a flow ratein a range from about 20 gpm to about 50 gpm (or any values or subrangestherebetween), at a pressure in a range from about 20 psi to about 50psi (or any values or subranges therebetween).

The first embodiment accumulator-suppression subsystem can be configuredso that while the accumulator-suppression pump 42 is operating and theaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62 are simultaneouslydischarging the fire suppressant, the fire suppressant is supplied toeach of the upper nozzle assemblies 52 at a pressure of about 15 psi,the fire suppressant is supplied to each of the lower nozzle assemblies58 at a pressure of about 29 psi, and the fire suppressant is suppliedto each of the upper-central accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 at apressure of about 13 psi. More generally, it is believed that the firstembodiment accumulator-suppression subsystem may be configured so thatwhile the accumulator-suppression pump 42 operating and theaccumulator-suppression nozzles 50, 54, 56, 60, 62 are simultaneouslydischarging the fire suppressant, the fire suppressant is supplied toeach of the upper nozzle assemblies 52 at a pressure in a range fromabout 7 psi to about 35 psi (or any values or subranges therebetween),the fire suppressant is supplied to each of the lower nozzle assemblies58 at a pressure in a range from about 14 psi to about 60 psi (or anyvalues or subranges therebetween), and the fire suppressant is suppliedto each of the upper-central accumulator-suppression nozzles 50 at apressure in a range from about 6 psi to about 30 psi (or any values orsubranges therebetween).

The first embodiment baler-suppression pump 44 is a relatively veryhigh-pressure, low-flow pump. As a more specific example, a suitablebaler-suppression pump 44 can be a twelve volt, electric-motor operatedplunger pump or piston pump configured to provide a flow rate of about 1gpm at a pressure of about 450 psi. More generally, it is believed thata suitable baler-suppression pump 44 can be configured to provide a flowrate in a range from about 0.2 gpm to about 3 gpm (or any values orsubranges therebetween), at a pressure in a range from about 200 psi toabout 1000 psi (or any values or subranges therebetween).

The first embodiment spot-suppression pump 46 is a relativelymedium-flow pump. As a more specific example, a suitablespot-suppression pump 46 can be a twelve volt, electric-motor operateddiaphragm pump configured to provide a flow rate of about 7 gpm at apressure of about 100 psi. More generally, it is believed that asuitable spot-suppression pump 46 can be configured to provide a flowrate in a range from about 2 gpm to about 15 gpm (or any values orsubranges therebetween), at a pressure in a range from about 50 psi toabout 150 psi (or any values or subranges therebetween). As an example,the use of the term “relative” with respect to the suppression pumps 42,44, 46 can be understood in the context of comparing the suppressionpumps with one another.

The first embodiment upper-central accumulator-suppression nozzles 50are configured to discharge the fire suppressant in a relatively wideangle, cone spray pattern (e.g., a hollow-cone spray pattern), forexample to provide the main deluge for the accumulator-suppressionsubsystem. As a more specific example, a suitable upper-centralaccumulator-suppression nozzle 50 can be a plug nozzle configured toprovide a hollow-cone spray pattern having an angle of about 140 degreeswhen operating at a pressure of about 30 psi and a flow rate of about 7gpm. More generally, it is believed that a suitable upper-centralaccumulator-suppression nozzle 50 can be a plug nozzle configured toprovide a hollow-cone spray pattern with an average spray pattern of ina range from about 120 degrees to about 170 degrees (or any values orsubranges therebetween) when operating at a pressure in a range fromabout 20 psi to about 50 psi (or any values or subranges therebetween),and a flow rate in a range from about 3 gpm to about 20 gpm (or anyvalues or subranges therebetween).

The first embodiment middle accumulator-suppression nozzles 54 areconfigured to discharge the fire suppressant in a relatively largeangle, cone spray pattern (e.g., solid-cone spray pattern). As a morespecific example, a suitable middle accumulator-suppression nozzle 54can be configured to provide a solid-cone spray pattern with an averagedroplet size of about 449 micron when operating at a pressure of about30 psi and a flow rate of about 3 gpm. More generally, it is believedthat a suitable middle accumulator-suppression nozzle 54 can beconfigured to provide a solid-cone spray pattern with an average dropletsize in a range from about 211 micron to about 729 micron (or any valuesor subranges therebetween) when operating at a pressure in a range fromabout 20 psi to about 50 psi (or any values or subranges therebetween),and a flow rate in a range from about 1 gpm to about 10 gpm (or anyvalues or subranges therebetween), while providing a spray patternhaving an angle within a range from about 80 degrees to about 120degrees (or any values or subranges therebetween).

The first embodiment front and rear accumulator-suppression nozzles 56are configured to discharge the fire suppressant in a relatively narrowfan spray pattern. As a more specific example, a suitableaccumulator-suppression nozzle 56 can be configured to provide a fanspray pattern with an average droplet size of about 781 micron whenoperating at a pressure of about 30 psi and a flow rate of about 2 gpm.More generally, it is believed that a suitable accumulator-suppressionnozzle 56 can be configured to provide a fan spray pattern with anaverage droplet size in a range from about 417 micron to about 1165 (orany values or subranges therebetween) when operating at a pressure in arange from about 20 psi to about 50 psi (or any values or subrangestherebetween), and a flow rate in a range from about 1 gpm to about 10gpm (or any values or subranges therebetween), while providing a spraypattern having an angle of about 15 degrees.

The first embodiment lower accumulator-suppression nozzles 60 areconfigured to discharge the fire suppressant in a relatively narrow fanspray pattern. As a more specific example, a suitableaccumulator-suppression nozzle 60 can be configured to discharge thefire suppressant in a relatively narrow fan spray pattern with anaverage droplet size of about 781 micron when operating at a pressure ofabout 30 psi and a flow rate of about 2 gpm. More generally, it isbelieved that a suitable accumulator-suppression nozzle 60 can beconfigured to discharge the fire suppressant in a relatively narrow fanspray pattern with an average droplet size in a range from about 417micron to about 1165 micron (or any values or subranges therebetween)when operating at a pressure in a range from about 20 psi to about 50psi (or any values or subranges therebetween), and a flow rate in arange from about 1 gpm to about 5 gpm (or any values or subrangestherebetween), while providing a spray pattern having an angle of about15 degrees.

The first embodiment baler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 are configured todischarge the fire suppressant as a fog and/or mist, at least initiallyin a conical pattern. As a more specific example, a suitableaccumulator-suppression nozzle 64, 66 can be configured to discharge thefire suppressant as a fog and/or mist with an average droplet size ofabout 79 micron when operating at a pressure of about 600 psi and a flowrate of about 0.25 gpm. More generally, it is believed that a suitableaccumulator-suppression nozzle 64, 66 can be configured to discharge thefire suppressant as a fog and/or mist with an average droplet size in arange from about 29 micron to about 149 micron (or any values orsubranges therebetween) when operating at a pressure in a range fromabout 300 psi to about 2000 psi (or any values or subrangestherebetween), and a flow rate in a range from about 0.1 gpm to about 1gpm (or any values or subranges therebetween). The first embodimentbaler-suppression nozzles 64, 66 are configured to fill (e.g.,substantially fill) the interior of the chamber of the module builder 34with the fire suppressant in the form of fog and/or mist. As an example,the use of the term “relative” with respect to the suppression nozzles50, 54, 56, 60, 62 can be understood in the context of comparing thesuppression nozzles with one another.

The above-discussed first embodiment is provided as an example, andnumerous variations to the first embodiment are within the scope of thisdisclosure. For example, one or more features of the first embodimentcan be omitted, rearranged, reconfigured, included in duplicate, reducedin number, and/or be varied in any other suitable manner. As an exampleof an alternative embodiment, it is believed that the harvester 10 maybe modified to be towed behind a tractor. As an example for thetow-behind harvester, the engine compartment 16 (FIG. 1) and itscontents may be omitted from the tow-behind harvester, and respectivefeatures of the tow-behind harvester (e.g., its hydraulic and electricalsystems) may be coupled to respective features of the tractor (e.g., itshydraulic and electrical systems). Other types of harvesters, forexample combine harvesters, are within the scope of this disclosure.

As another example, a second embodiment of this disclosure can be likethe first embodiment (e.g., in both configuration and function), exceptfor variations noted and variations that will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art. In the second embodiment, the harvester is acotton picker rather than a cotton stripper. As a more specific exampleof a version of the second embodiment, both the system for detecting theadverse fire-related conditions and the system for at least partiallycontrolling and/or suppressing the adverse fire-related conditions areincorporated into the cotton picker, wherein the cotton picker was aconventional JOHN DEERE CP690 Cotton Picker prior to being retrofittedwith the detection and suppression systems.

The harvesting apparatus (e.g., see harvesting apparatus 20 of FIG. 1)of the second embodiment includes rotating machinery in the form of rowsof barbed spindles that are configured to be rotated and remove the rawcotton from the cotton plants. The second embodiment harvestingapparatus further includes rotating machinery in the form ofcounter-rotating brushes or doffers configured to removing the rawcotton from the spindles. The cotton picker of the second embodimenttypically does not include the intermediate duct 26, field cleaner 28,and downstream duct 30 of the first embodiment. Rather, the cottonpicker of the second embodiment is typically configured so that aplurality of supply ducts (e.g., like/see the upstream duct 24 of thefirst embodiment), which are arranged in parallel to one another, supplythe raw cotton from the harvesting apparatus directly to the interior ofthe accumulator chamber, and each of the supply ducts can be equippedwith detectors 68 in substantially the same way that the upstream duct24 of the first embodiment is equipped with the upstream detectors 68.One or more of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,543, 6,550,230, 7,631,716, and9,313,952 are believed to disclose examples of suitable harvestingapparatus and supply ducts (e.g., supply ducts configured to supply theraw cotton from the harvesting apparatus to the interior of theaccumulator chamber).

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates byreference the entire disclosure of each of: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,631,716;7,026,619; 4,606,177, 5,311,728 and 6,018,938; 4,606,177, 6,159,094 and9,763,387; U.S. Pat. Pub. 2014/0157745; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,941,740,7,631,716, 8,925,287, and 10,034,433; U.S. Pat. Pub. 2018/0242527; andU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,543, 6,550,230, and 9,313,952.

Reiterating from above, it is within the scope of this disclosure forone or more of the terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,”and/or the like, to qualify each of the adjectives and adverbs of theforegoing disclosure, for the purpose of providing a broad disclosure.As an example, it is believed that those of ordinary skill in the artwill readily understand that, in different implementations of thefeatures of this disclosure, reasonably different engineeringtolerances, precision, and/or accuracy may be applicable and suitablefor obtaining the desired result. Accordingly, it is believed that thoseof ordinary skill will readily understand usage herein of the terms suchas “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and the like.

In the specification and drawings, examples of embodiments have beendisclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplaryembodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Unlessotherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic anddescriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A vehicle configured to at least partially process harvested plantmaterial and at least partially control any sparks, embers, and/orflames associated with the plant material, the vehicle comprising: achassis; a material processing unit supported by the chassis andconfigured to at least partially define a flow path for transporting theharvested plant material, wherein the material processing unit comprisesa chamber having an interior space configured to contain the plantmaterial; a harvesting apparatus configured to harvest the plantmaterial and provide the plant material to the flow path, wherein in adirection along the flow path, the material processing unit ispositioned downstream from, and spaced apart from, the harvestingapparatus; a pump supported by the chassis and configured to supplyliquid fire suppressant under pressure when the pump is operated; firstand second nozzles each mounted to the material processing unit andconnected to the pump for receiving the liquid fire suppressant underpressure from the pump and discharging the liquid fire suppressant intothe flow path, wherein: the first nozzle is configured to discharge theliquid fire suppressant into the interior space of the chamber, thesecond nozzle is mounted to a portion of a lower half of the materialprocessing unit and configured to discharge the liquid fire suppressantat least sideways into a portion of a lower half of the interior spaceof the chamber, the first nozzle is configured to discharge the firesuppressant in a spray pattern having a central axis extending outwardlyfrom the first nozzle in a first direction, the second nozzle isconfigured to discharge the fire suppressant in a spray pattern having acentral axis extending outwardly from the second nozzle in a seconddirection, and the first and second directions are different from oneanother; and a controller configured to initiate operation of the pump.2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the material processingunit is an accumulator configured to repeatedly accumulate the harvestedplant material and repeatedly discharge the harvested plant material;and both of the first and second nozzles are configured to dischargeinto the interior space of the chamber of the accumulator.
 3. Thevehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the material processing unit is amodule builder supported by the chassis; the module builder isconfigured to form the harvested plant material into a wrapped bail; andboth of the first and second nozzles are configured to discharge intothe interior space of the chamber of the module builder.
 4. The vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein: the material processing unit is anaccumulator configured to repeatedly accumulate the harvested plantmaterial and repeatedly discharge the harvested plant material; thevehicle further comprises a module builder supported by the chassis; themodule builder is configured to form the harvested plant material into awrapped bail; the pump is a first pump; the vehicle further comprises asecond pump supported by the chassis, and a third nozzle; the firstnozzle is connected to the first pump for receiving the liquid firesuppressant under pressure from the first pump; the first nozzle isconfigured to discharge the liquid fire suppressant into the interiorspace of the chamber of the accumulator so that the discharged firesuppressant in the interior space of the chamber of the accumulatorcomprises droplets; the third nozzle is connected to the second pump forreceiving the liquid fire suppressant under pressure from the secondpump; and the third nozzle is configured to discharge the liquid firesuppressant into a chamber of an interior space of the module builder sothat the discharged fire suppressant in the interior space of thechamber of the module builder comprises droplets of smaller size thanthe fire suppressant droplets in the interior space of the chamber ofthe accumulator.
 5. The vehicle according to claim 1, comprising aplurality of nozzles, wherein: the plurality of nozzles comprises thefirst and second nozzles; the material processing unit is one of aplurality of material processing units that are supported by thechassis, configured to be in series along the flow path, and configuredto cooperatively move the harvested plant material along the flow path;and nozzles of the plurality of nozzles are respectively mounted to thematerial processing units of the plurality of material processing unitsand connected to at least the pump for receiving the liquid firesuppressant under pressure and discharging the liquid fire suppressantinto the flow path at different positions along a length of the flowpath.
 6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the harvestingapparatus comprises a crosswise series of harvester units.
 7. Thevehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a detector configuredto detect at least one predetermined fire-related condition in the flowpath.
 8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the central axisextending outwardly from the first nozzle extends along the central axisextending outwardly from the second nozzle.
 9. The vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the central axis extending outwardly from the firstnozzle extends convergently with respect to the central axis extendingoutwardly from the second nozzle.
 10. The vehicle according to claim 1,wherein the central axis extending outwardly from the first nozzleextends divergently with respect to the central axis extending outwardlyfrom the second nozzle.
 11. The vehicle according to claim 1, whereinthe central axis extending outwardly from the first nozzle extendscrosswise with respect to the central axis extending outwardly from thesecond nozzle.
 12. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprisingmachinery positioned in the flow path and configured to rotate andpotentially generate sparks when engaged by any rock and/or metallicdebris in the flow path, wherein the machinery is positioned upstreamfrom the first and second nozzles in the flow path.
 13. The vehicleaccording to claim 12, comprising a cleaner supported by the chassis andconfigured to at least partially clean the plant material, wherein thecleaner includes the machinery.
 14. The vehicle according to claim 12,comprising a harvesting apparatus supported by the chassis andconfigured to harvest the plant material and provide the plant materialto the flow path, wherein the harvesting apparatus includes themachinery.
 15. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehiclecomprises: a passageway supported by the chassis and having a downstreamend configured to be in fluid communication with the interior space ofthe chamber; a fan supported by the chassis and in fluid communicationwith the passageway, wherein at least the fan and the passageway arecooperatively configured to at least partially cause harvested plantmaterial to be transported through the passageway and into the interiorspace of the chamber; and an electric motor configured to drive thepump.
 16. The vehicle according to claim 15, comprising a user interfaceconfigured to provide, in response to receiving predetermined userinput, at least one signal to the controller, wherein the controller isconfigured to initiate operation of the electric motor in response toreceiving the signal.
 17. A vehicle configured to at least partiallyprocess harvested plant material and at least partially control anysparks, embers, and/or flames associated with the plant material, thevehicle comprising: a chassis; a material processing unit supported bythe chassis and configured to at least partially define a flow path fortransporting the harvested plant material, wherein the materialprocessing unit comprises a chamber supported by the chassis and havingan interior space; a pump supported by the chassis and configured tosupply liquid fire suppressant under pressure when the pump is operated;first and second nozzles each mounted to the material processing unitand connected to the pump for receiving the liquid fire suppressantunder pressure from the pump and discharging the liquid fire suppressantinto the flow path, wherein: the first and second nozzles are configuredto discharge the liquid fire suppressant into the interior space of thechamber, the first nozzle is configured to discharge the firesuppressant in a spray pattern having a central axis extending outwardlyfrom the first nozzle in a first direction, the second nozzle isconfigured to discharge the fire suppressant in a spray pattern having acentral axis extending outwardly from the second nozzle in a seconddirection, and the first and second directions are different from oneanother; a passageway supported by the chassis and having a downstreamend configured to be in fluid communication with the interior space ofthe chamber; a fan supported by the chassis and in fluid communicationwith the passageway, wherein at least the fan and the passageway arecooperatively configured to at least partially cause harvested plantmaterial to be transported through the passageway and into the interiorspace of the chamber; an electric motor configured to drive the pump; acontroller; and a detector mounted to the passageway and configured toprovide, in response to detecting at least one predeterminedfire-related condition in the passageway, at least one signal to thecontroller, wherein the controller is configured to initiate operationof the pump, comprising the controller being configured to analyze thesignal and initiate operation of the electric motor in response to thecondition in the passageway exceeding a threshold. 18-53. (canceled)